Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to the characters of YUGiOH. But I will respectfully borrow them to use in my stories. Thanks to fan fiction. Oh! This time Kazuki Takahashi has a small but important cameo appearance. Thanks

Hey, how is it going out there. I am so happy and honored to be back, computer crash, damn that really sucks. For me it threw off my edge and I realized just how much I missed you guys. Damn, you are so very special and well loved in my heart. To post again is wonderful. I hope I can regain your faith in my work , review.

Review: Joey/Mokuba hurt in an earthquake….stop…..Seto rescues Joey…… Joey is badly hurt…..Lots of blood, broken bones, pain……Bring tissue…..at least that's what a reviewer said. ……Joey in hospital ….Seto is an ass, but he's adorable. ……..Will Joey survive?...

It Hurts, Only When I Breathe

Chapter 7: LIVE

The boy opened one eye and let only a fraction of light shine through his heavy eye lids. It was his nature to first survey his surroundings, never letting the enemy know his true intentions. Seto felt as though he was in a war zone and everyone out there was the enemy. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the light and he allowed his eyes to flutter completely open. He sensed the room was completely silent devoid of life and he knew or rather sensed that he was completely alone. The drabbest of white paint appeared to be pasted on all the walls and worn yellow stains on the ceiling could be seen through his waking vision.

'Where in the Hell am I?' thought Kaiba. He wrinkled his nose at the unpleasant smell of chemicals and what appeared to be anticipates. Silent metal doors stood to his left and they hung loosely off worn hinges from years of swinging back and forth. "Joey!" he screamed out in remembrance, "my mutt." His eyes drifted to the left side of his bed remembering long slender fingers wrapped around his bruised hands and the realization Joey was gone hit him full force, this snapped the waking boy back to reality. "I remember," Seto murmured to himself, "the quake, hospital, blood, surgery and surgery…..Joey. Yes , he needed blood and emergency surgery, all at the same time. Joey's life was in danger."

Caution mirrored his thoughts as Seto's eyes drifted towards the left and rested on the empty bed pulled close to him . Again the unspeakable words escaped from his dry and parched lips "Joey, where is my baby? He doesn't even know how I truly feel and I may never get to tell him. No, this disaster will not end like this, never. "

The unbreakable CEO threw the covering s off his tired body, flinching inwardly at the pain in his limbs. "This is unacceptable, this weakness, I will not give in, never!" With thoughts of Joey and Mokuba in his heart and mind, Seto pushed his body past its limits and rose from the bed. It wasn't a question of being weak or the fact he had just given up pints of blood. It was just survival for the CEO, just fighting for the one you love. If love could move mountains, then Seto had already moved the tallest and now he was about to rock heaven and earth.

'One step at a time', he though walking down the long corridor,' maybe this was a dream and Joey was not hurt. Maybe I am poor and Joey is wealthy.' All Seto had to do was look at his hands and remember. 'These hands held together the arms and legs of my friend, no not my friend, Mokuba's friend. Mine…. Mine….. What was the golden hair beauty to me? That boy always caused me to go emo, at school. The boy at the end , and at the beginning of all my jokes, who always had a soft smile underneath the heated glares, planning his next move. Yeah, his whipping post, but the most precious puppy a man could want. Damn, him to hell! Why, does it have to be like this?!' Maybe it started out as hormones and tight swim suits, but somewhere down the line and years it turned to … Turned to love? Damn, him to hell!

'Joey, I remember these doors, gray, metal, still, unmovable, yet the most amazing, frighten procedures went on beyond them.' He remembered seeing Joey's name on the wall near the entrance. Multiple limbs broken, breathing weak, loss of blood. All this Seto took in at a glance, his senses on high alert and next the transfusion. Joey and he shared the same blood type. 'Shit, my blood flows through his veins, please let it be enough. '

Tired, hurting, and frustrated, Seto leaned up against the metal door leading into the operating theater, and flinched at the coldness he felt. 'So dead, so still, and most of all no sounds. This is where the green scrubs first exited after Joey's first surgery. He had been so weak and in need of the blood transfusion. This is where he first saw the doctor tired and worn out from the long hours of surgery with his Joey. Not knowing anywhere else to go he waited. Workers in white passed by, but they recognized the look on his face; it was dead, and acceptance of faith, loss, pain. So they just silently walked on by. You didn't speak and the rubber soles on the bottom of your white polished shoes did not make a sound. Eyes down cast you walked on by. You walked by this desolated creature, once a vibrant man/boy and prayed you didn't have to answer any questions. Little did these whites/green scrubs understand, talking to Kaiba at this time would have cost much more than anyone of them were willing to give. Kaiba, was a walking nightmare living on adrenaline, this was not good.

Now he spoke to a third person in his head, some entity, called survival. 'Did, you hear the footsteps ? I think somebody is coming from out of the operating room. It's over.' His laugh was sinister and devoid of any emotion, some would say sick. A soft swash, followed by more footsteps through the metal doors and he waited. "They're here," the voice in his head echo back to Kaiba. If you had ever seen a caged animal as the keeper approached him with a whip. Then you are looking in the eyes of on Kaiba.

Seto waited as the last door swung open and he backed away from his post ready to strike. Slowly and with little effort the white haired doctor stood silent in front of Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp., and looked into glassy red eyes. He peeled of the blood stained gloves, he had forgotten to remove and deposited them in a metal receptacle.

Kaiba's eyes, dangerous slits followed his every move and stopped dead on the hands of the doctor. "Damn," the first words whispered trembled from Seto's lips. In his haste to leave the operating room he had forgotten to remove his gloves. 'But that was hours ago, 'thought Seto. 'How could he still have the gloves on?'

"Damn him," Seto curled his hands into fist and screamed to the air. Joey's blood , his scent was all over this man. Little bits of tissue that held fast to the tips of the doctor's fingers, unforgiveable, disturbed Kaiba greatly.

Kaiba only saw red as he grabbed the doctor by his collar, all reason gone. "What have you done, to my Joe?!"

"Wait he's alive please let me explain. . . . arrr. . . I only had to go back and get some specimens from the theater," Seto was cutting off the air to the doctor's lungs.

"Every. . Thing. . . is. . . fineeee." The man started to cough and just for a moment feared for his life as the CEO's grip grew stronger.

Nurses and attendants appeared to help, but one look at the deranged man put them all on alert. "Call the guards, get help, he's choking the doctor, help!!!" cried out a startled nurse.

Seto had a vision of Mokuba watching him as he continued his assault on the doctor, immediately Seto let the doctor go. 'Damn I'm losing my mind.'

The doctor regained his composer and spoke up, while simultaneous rubbing his neck, "Please, everyone it's ok, really. Just give us both a little space. I'm ok."

In an attempt to control his temper, Seto took deep breath at the indignities of it all. Now his hands remained clinched at his side drawing blood from the fist he made. Damn he was angry. "Speak," these were the only words he softly spoke.

"Kaiba-sama. Joey is a luck boy. He will be just fine. He's unconscious but he will wake up soon, I'm sure," the doctor smiled his most winning, bullshit smile he could pull out of his meager bag of tricks. The problem with the smile and his amateur act happened to be the recipient of the gesture, one Kaiba of Kaiba Corp. You see Kaiba knew all the tricks; he invented the art of bullshit. But the doctor continued on with his little speech much to the displeasure of the distraught young man.

"He's a very strong young man. You look as though you need a little rest and you can see him in the ICU unit , later. We are moving him. . ."

Seto turned around and faced the wall; swiftly his fist collided with plaster, mortar, and dirty white paint, next to the metal doors. Blood splattered everywhere and you could hear the crunch of bone, skin and plaster. This was the 'Ice Man,' lose and filled with fury. The doctor's endless babble drove Seto over the edge.

"Who, do you think you are talking to? Don't bullshit with me anymore! I have had enough! You've just spend hours in surgery with my mate. I have held his broken body in these hands! THESE HANDS! " Seto held out his hands before all the startled doctors and nurses. Blooded, but one securely bandaged with blue gauze . Each finger quivering, straining for someone to hold and comfort the man, massages the pain away. Just a touch would be enough for a sane man, but the causal comments made by the doctor, who though he was addressing an idiot, locked the door to Seto's heart. For the first time all eyes glanced directly at Kaiba. Still dressed in the rescue suit, he looked as though he had just left a war zone. Only the white hospital coat he had stolen from a closet allowed him to move freely around.

"You, you, tell me he is going to be fine ! Damn you ! His heart stopped while I held him in my arms. He cried silent tears while I pieced his leg back together. " Seto body started to shake, but losing control was not an option. "Hold on," the little voice spoke inside his head.

Once again, Kaiba took a deep breath to steady his breathing. He was on the edge of a cliff and the wind blew strongly driving him to fall or jump. 'I feel like I am about to pass out.'

"What have you done? What have I done to my Joey? Please God forgive me?" Seto slowly looked again at his hands and lowered them to his side. "So much blood, will it ever stop, I can't do this anymore?"

It was so difficult to even talk, or think rationally. To a man who functions under stress, this was completely insane. Seto Kaiba had never been in love or felt an emotion so deeply for anyone other than Mokuba. Scientific answers did not apply to this situation and nothing was black or white, when the heart is affected. Equations to pull up on the computer and solve through analytical thinking did not exist with matters of the heart. He would learn only that the grays area of emotions, the trust in that which we only feel, and most of all the power of faith, is all we have.

The doctor realized he had completely misjudged the young man, and more so lost his bed side manner, realized he'd had created this horrible situation. With his carless actions and insensitive words he had almost injured two people. Blood drained from his face , as he collected his thoughts and decided exactly what to tell the young man. This man had suffered so much and he deserved to know the blunt truth.

"Kaiba-sama," the doctor bowed low to show his respect in front of all the nurses and attendants, but mostly to regain the trust this man/boy needed in him as the doctor of Joey. "Joey 's arm and leg were both badly damaged in the fall and it appears he tried to carry or pull something before the fall which stretched the ligaments even further out of place. As least no nerve s were badly affected, only time will decide his fate in that area. Muscle tissue is badly bruised , but it will heal with therapy. We have mended his limbs with plastic pens. It is a new procedure, but its best used on the young, because their body will learn to use the pins as aids, which will dissolve or be removed with time. I project 95 use of his arm and leg if he works hard at recovery."

The doctor gave Kaiba a moment to process the information before he continued. This was the hardest part to speak, unconsciously the doctor stepped back out of striking range. Of course Kaiba noticed the gesture, but reassured the man he would not physically touch him again.

"Kaiba-sama, one lung is very weak , so we have him on fresh oxygen. His body doesn't want to breathe, because it causes so much pain, so his mind had just closed down. I don't want to give him too many pain killers but it may be necessary if he doesn't wake up in the next six hours. Right now your friend, is being monitored constantly and we have just moved him to a private recovery room, as instructed by your office. I am well aware of your position and standing in the business world, and I assure you Sir, we are giving the young man the best of care. I also understand a specialist is trying to get here, but because of the quake and the devastation in Japan it is difficult. Instead I have been on the net with a special link up to Doctor Kazuki Takahashi. He is the best in the field of lung ailments and he has assured us our treatment of Joey is correct. Doctor Kazuki Takahashi will be arriving in the last hours of this day. Joey is in the last wing to the left of this hall, near the operating theater, on the small chance he will need care. You can see him now; maybe your presence will help. I don't have the answer. " The doctor bowed low again, backed away with respect, before turning to go. " I must go and gather all the necessary information to give to the special team flying in with Takahashi-sama."

All the attendants turned away and walked off with the doctor. What could anyone possible say to this man? Seto felt a small gentle caress against his long right leg. The faint scent of flowers drifted past his nostrils and just for a moment he allowed his body to relax, and his heart to beat a little slower. Small fingers intertwined with his bruised hands and the touch stilled the shaking in his limbs. Seto looked down hiding despair under hooded lashes, although he knew it was the little girl, Kisara.

"Mmmm, so you felt it necessary to almost kill the man who helps to save your lovers' life. You're losing it Seto," quite forcibly Kisara voiced her displeasure at Seto's action, although she did understand the confusing emotions that drove him to do this needless violence, love.

Gentle, but firmly Seto squeezed the little girls hand and breathed in the scent of flowers around him,' "Listen he is not my lover, and my name is Kaiba. I did not give you permission to call me anything else." He was so glad to have her by his side.

"Of course your name is Kaiba, I'm not one of your mindless employees. Come, my prince, Seto. We will go together." Kisara's long silver hair, slightly blue in the light radiated a warmth which gave Seto renewed strength. Her blue eyes defied him to disobey.

" Go where? I'm not going anywhere with you! Where is your mother, I could be a dirty old man? Why aren't you in school, or where ever short, little, people should be? " Seto tried to smirk, but she only smiled, causing his lip to quiver, his weakness and trust started to show. No one commanded Seto Kaiba, but this little girl touched his very soul and he knew it. 'Damn it, I need her to stay so badly, please don't leave me, please,' he thought.

"We will go and see the other together, I will not leave you."

Seto gasped at Kisara's words and lowered his head. Once again he had to move one step at a time. Firmly Kisara grasped his hand and without question or resistant she led him down the hall to the ICU unit. Anyone passing by would have assumed the girl a special patient and the tall weary man a doctor. No questions were asked as they moved closer to Seto's heart and nightmare. With increasing anxiety in his heart Seto allowed Kisara to lead him on.

Within minutes Seto stood before a swinging door, knowing Joey was on the other side. So many doors, he only had to step beyond this last door and he could see his loved one.

The CEO froze, his resolve crumbled, and blew away in the wind like cherry blossoms, on a warm spring day, beautiful, but filled with pain at the fleeting beauty of it all. "Kisara, wait, I can't. I know he is on the other side, but I just can't do this anymore. I've seen him bleeding and near death. I just can't ."

"Seto, what are you saying. It's because you do not fear the unknown that he is alive, my heart, and my love. You are the source of strength for us all. Seto , every day Joey chants just to survive. ' I will not give in to the despair that appears in my life, I will survive , no matter what, or how much it hurts. ' It is up to you to chant with him and remind him of his worth and give him a reason to wake up. He's in great pain. Come , my prince, my Seto, he is waiting for you on the other side and I am here by your side. We are one."

Oooooooooo

Seto closed his eyes and held back the tears, almost magically he found he was on the other side of the door and standing on the side of Joey's bed.

Joey's face was covered with a clear mask, clouded over with moisture from his unsteady breathing. The machine made a hissing sound as it moved up and down with the beating of his heart. Even with the bit of renew strength the CEO was so weary of mind and heart as he watched Joey's chest rise and fall. Woosh. . . . Woosh. . . . . "Damn it," he wiped the stubborn tear from his eye, because he had decided no more tears. 'The rhythm is all wrong. ' Couldn't they set the machine to Joey's special heart beat? He slumped over, not realizing Kisara had pulled out a chair underneath his legs. Now Seto leaned closer and examined his puppy.

"My Joey, What have we done to you? WHYYYYY." His cry vibrated down the hall, but no one said a word or disturbed what appeared to be a family in pain. Joey, his long lashes lay in deep blue hollows under eyes hidden from view. Skin, so soft and beautiful , and now pale and so cold, it was only this morning Joey gave him 'the finger' and ran off, smiling, laughing. WHY!!! Rage burned in Seto's heart, he knew no other way, but he was learning, just how hard it could be to be in love and alone.

"Fight Joey, for us I want to be your first love and all that you desire. Fight Joey, there will be no despair in your life!" Seto for the first time chanted Joey's chant and he believed in something other than the power of money.

Without any direction or clear motivation , the pale faced CEO reached out with his slender fingers and touch the clear mask. Joey's mask. Fingers inched along Joey's jaw bone, and under the mask. With his gentle touch Seto used his fingers to massage the boy's swollen cheeks . "Yes, that's better," he whispered to the silent boy, a little color returned to Joey's face. Next he wiped tears away from his eyes that coursed down the side of his face. It wasn't like before, but the tears hurt Seto the most. Irrationally Seto held the mask up and away from the boy's face and kissed each eye lid, his lips, his nose, and cheeks. His mind was confused and tormented beyond believe, but he knew this was the right thing to do. "He needs me close." Seto , pushed inside Joey's month with his tongue and massaged his gums and lower lip. He could still taste blood. The silent blond took in air and flinched or whimpered. Maybe it was a muscle reaction or maybe it was a breath of life, but Seto broke down and cried. "Live, Joey. I know it hurts, but you have got to breathe."

Kisara, sensed this was enough and gently pulled him away, after replacing the mask on the boy's face. "Come, my prince, my Seto, my heart, you have saved his life and found your own. He sleeps and dreams of you. Kisara wrapped her tiny finger around Seto's hand and guided him out of the room.

Ooooooo

Walking, again, one foot in front of the other, moving all of it pointless, yet he had to go. Where ? His hand still incased in the little ones, he didn't care. "Will I be forgiven my sins?" Seto spoke to Kisara "I 've tainted so many lives , is Joey my punishment?" Kisara handed Seto a beautiful, perfect blue rose and although he tried to reverse the flow of tears he couldn't. Never had anyone seen Kaiba so exposed and no one ever would again. This moment belonged to the two dragon souls alone. Be his strength in this world Seto, my prince and I will be yours. You have more gifts which are yours for the taking, just open your heart. Look Seto , don't be afraid, over there."

Through the mist of his eyes Seto could see a beautiful black mane of the darknest night shinning in his vision. There was only one person in the entire world who. . . Mokuba!! Seto's legs just wouldn't move, so he reached out hoping it was enough and moaned at his helplessness. "Mokuba is it really you?" Even from the short distance Seto's eyes traveled upward to long slender fingers on his brother's shoulders. White and elegant, sporting power blue polish with little toon characters on the thumbs. "Pegasus ."

Pegasus and Mokuba were standing within his reach and he couldn't move. Moments pass as the brother eyes connected each assessing and reconnecting their bonds. Both almost afraid to touch, the emotions of love so strong, but within moments small arms firm and sure snaked around Seto 's waist, holding him up.

"Nii-sama, you're safe. I was so worried and ashamed for leaving you, please forgive me, please forgive me. Mokuba could barely talk, between sobs and a running nose.

"No Mokuba, I am proud of you, " Seto voice was horsed.

Pegasus one eye exposed tilted his head to stare at the CEO. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to leave Kaiba-boy alone. "You look like hell, Kaiba."

Kaiba glared at the fool almost gagging at the purple patch with a silly dancing blue dragon on it. Nope he wasn't dreaming. Pegasus knew he hated that patch in particular. Yeah, you and those damn patches, stringy white mop of hair, you really know how to piss me off.

Pegasus felt Seto would need a distraction, and he was right. "Pegasus thank you for keeping my brother safe." Seto speech became slurred and his eyes started to blur.

"Mokuba, he's alive. With his last bit of energy Seto fell forward and into the waiting arms of Pegasus. Pegasus grabbed the young man before he hit the floor and held him close to his chest. Seto looked so small in the arms of his friend. "Shit Mokuba, he's hot and cold at the same time."

Seto raised his head and spoke to Mokuba, "Mokuba, take me home, I'm fine, really, just a little tired." Mokuba brushed his limp bangs to the side for a moment and lost himself in the paleness and sorrow expressed on Nii-sama's face. Seto even allowed Pegasus to hold him close, almost like a bride. "You can't go home , my friend, we'll get you a room. I'm sure no doctor has been close to you, with your worry over Joey. And I wonder when the hell did that relationship start? Look Mokuba he still has on the rescue suit.

Doctor, Doctor, we need help here. Four beds appeared and six nurses were waiting. Pegasus blinked at the readiness of the staff and proceeded to lay Seto on a bed.

Before he was taken away, Mokuba leaned closer and felt the slight but steady beat of his brother's heart and smiled. Next he whispered in his ear. I'll take you home, you're safe now. Pegasus shook his head at his new little friend, "Mokuba, you can't take him to the mansion, he going to be mad as all hell, when he wakes up in a hospital room , and even madder when he realizes he was my bride for Mmmmm……. Five minutes."

Mokuba smiled again and looked down at his sleeping brother as they wheeled him into a room to rest. "Silly Pegasus, Seto is home. Home is where ever I am. We won't leave each other until we are both strong. I am his home…….."

Ok, I know folks don't go off on doctors, but this is Seto Kaiba. I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. It felt so good to post and special thanks to Genius Vampire for beta work at I'm sure an unnatural hour because I wanted to post. Review I really want to hear from you all. Sherabo hugs and kisses……GoodNight……. I'm back and I missed you all.