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 and Kazuki Takahashi.

Recap: "I'm here baby," Seto whispered and Ryou watched as a tear tricked down Joey's cheek.

Chapter 23 "Seto's Pain Part 1"

"You don't think Kaiba's going to hurt him," Yugi whispered to Yami.

"Yugi, its plain as day, he's in love," Yami answered amusement in his voice.

"Yeah, you mean he's into threesomes," Yugi blush scarlet red.

"Yugi he doesn't have the look of a man that shares . . . . That video was a fake, and it's obvious who created such an entertaining movie."

Yami leaned a little closer to Kaiba, "Kaiba we need to get Joey to the house."

"Don't touch him," Kaiba hissed; baring his teeth like a wild animal.

"Nii-sama let me help!"

"Nii-sama listen to me. Is he going to be alright? Say something, Nii sama." Mokuba was frantic with worry. Seto's complexion which was pale by nature, glister with a translucent beauty; his appearance was both scary and frightening.

"Kaiba he could have fractures . . ." Ryou stated clearly. "Yami is there a blanket in the car; we can at least keep him warm. KAIBA, snap out of it?!"

"Nii-sama, please say something!"

"Stop it . . . . Just get back all of you . . . I can't take this shit anymore." Ryou frustrated pushed a startled Yugi out of the way. "Let's go Kaiba, now!! I don't care if you run all the way; but move your ass NOW! "

Seto carried Joey back to the mansion, not a word was spoken, in light of Kaiba's strange mood. It would take a wrench of super human strength to pry Joey from Kaiba's arms. The CEO was in another place and time, one they were unwilling to disturb, for fear of death.

Ryou open the bedroom door and Seto lay Joey down on a huge bed. Joey started to mumble missing the warmth Kaiba's body offered. His eyelids blinked and slowly teary hazel eyes peak from under his lazy lids.

"What happened . . . Ryou?" Joey locked eyes with Kaiba and screamed, his heart had been ripped out and the sight of Kaiba brought the memory rushing back. Seto actually backed away; it seems his presence only stressed the boy and just for a moment his armor cracked. He didn't want to hurt him anymore.

"Joey its ok . . . "Ryou whispered. "Are you in pain? Talk to me, mate."

"Like hell nothing is ok and no I'm ok," the boy whispered in reply. Anger replaced his torment and the painter just rolled over and buried his body in the soft folds of a blanket. "I wish I could just disappear . . . . God help me through this nightmare. . . . I'm just pissed and pathetic."

"JOEY!!" Mokuba called out, rushing to the painter's bed side. Joey flinched and buried deeper among the soft blanket.

"Don't you get it? He's through with you." Ryou pushed the raven hair youth to the side. His nostrils flair and he took the stance of a mother protecting her young; well a lover would be more accurate. Throughout the house, his voice rang out loud and clear.

"I thought being here would heal Joey's heart and calm the nightmares. He loves so deeply and completely. I wanted to be the one to mend his broken heart, but he didn't need me. Mokuba he trusted you above all others and you've hurt him the most. Just how much of this insane night did you know about? Did you hate him so much that breaking his heart wasn't enough; you needed to crush his spirit and trample his soul."

"How dare you say that; it's none of your business . . . "Mokuba screamed.

"Joey is my business," Ryou focus his attention on Kaiba standing by the door. His eyes never left Joey's still body on the bed. "KAIBA, I want a car and driver at our disposal, a room on the lobby level with a private entrance. Please explain to these friends not to call or attempt to find us; we will be at the presentation tomorrow," Ryou fought back the tears of anger and continued his demands. "I'm so sorry this happened. Now if this is beyond your means tell me and I'll find someone else to treat Joey with the respect he's worked so hard to gain."

"Seto," Mokuba turned his head back and forth; finally he glared at the Ryou. Whatever relationship the two started to build disappeared. It was replaced with distrust and anger. "You don't have the right to talk to my brother like that!"

"Quiet Mokuba," Seto's heart flipped as he punched out commands on his ever present laptop. "Mokuba haven't you learned sometimes money can't buy everything you really desire. Let it go."

Ryou in turn dialed a number and handed Kaiba the phone, "This is Joey's physician tell him where we will be staying." Ryou mumbled, his feelings slowly coming under control.

"Done your driver will be ready in ten minutes; the location of your loggings will rest with me."

"Oh my goodness . . . . I wondered where everyone went. "Pegasus entered the room, and rubbed his prominent cheek bone. "It looks like the party is moving into the bed room … more movies," he shifted his glaze to Kaiba; a wide grin covered his face showing two rows of prefect white teeth.

"Why you dirt bag, walking vermin, scum of the earth. . . .I'll kill you." Pegasus didn't see the fist connect with his body, but his last memories before consciousness slipped away was pain. Kaiba followed the right hook with a left and the others could hear bones breaking as his heavy body hit the floor in the hall. The bed room door was hanging on its hinges. Seto followed the flying body outside and proceeded to strangle the life out of Pegasus's worthless body.

"Brother . . . he's not breathing," Mokuba tried to pry the inflamed fingers from around Pegasus neck. Two of Kaiba's knuckles were bleeding.

"Kaiba he's not worth it," Yami called out. The entire gang grabbed a piece of Kaiba's body and pulled him off the toon master.

"Kaiba don't do this!!" Joey voice permeated the CEO's brain and he calmed his rage, taking deep breaths of much needed air.

"Joey," the precious words left Kaiba's lips.

"No . . . don't come near me . . . I hate you . . . .," Joey's legs trembled with each word. His eyes scanned the room and finally rested on the CEO. For just a moment he saw pain in his eyes and chuckled. You know that scary laugh that makes children cry.

"Shut up . . . . All of you!! It doesn't matter. When this is over you'll never have to worry about me again, I don't belong here."

"Nii sama you can't let him go . . . . It's not fair!!!"

"Fair . . . "Joey moved forward his eyes landed on the unconscious body of Pegasus. Yugi and Yami lowered their heads ashamed. "Tomorrow after the presentation I'm leaving. You'll always be special but I'll wither and die in this town. The quake changed us all. I've found a new life with Ryou and my work."

"Joey you don't understand, please let me explain," Mokuba's tears tugged at Joey's heart and Ryou wanted to comfort him, but his obligations belong to Joey.

Joey leaned on Ryou's arm and walked towards the living room. Before existing he walked up to Kaiba and whispered, "Thanks," his voice wavered, and he continued, "It was a nice dream." The CEO was actually speechless.

Later . . . . . . . .

'Dream . . . .' The boy rubbed his eyes, his thoughts in a fog. He could feel a rolling sensation underneath his body and realized he was moving, but how and why it remained a mystery. He didn't know what had happened. 'Leave it to Ryou, I'm sure he arranged this bus, so where is the brat, after last night he's most likely hiding,' Joey thought. Ryou had climbed in Joey's bed to comfort his heart and he remembers a few other things he attempted.

Slowly as the headache started to reside Joey remembered, 'Ah . . . the art presentation and his escape from Japan or escape from Kaiba.' He looked around for some sign of the day or at least the whereabouts of Ryou. Ryou had disappeared.

'Now I remember,' Joey rose from his seat and explored the bus. Outside the sound of rain helped to ease his troubled thoughts, all of which went back to Kaiba and Pegasus. 'Why would Kaiba attack his lover?' As he moved towards the driver a great feeling of unrest assaulted his senses.

"Hey, minster! Where are we going and where is Ryou?" Joey shouted to the silent figure that seem to be focused on the road, yet the unrest continued to fester in his heart. The driver refused to speak.

"Hey, can't you hear?" Joey moved closer and a familiar scent tickled his nose. "It can't be." Joey whispered.

"Stop this bus!!!" Joey reached for the hat that rested on the head full of chestnut hair.

The bus jerked, sending Joey flying on his butt and the driver turned around smirking as he glazed at the painter.

"I knew it . . . . How dare you jerk face and what have you done with Ryou?" Joey rubbed his temples, "My head."

"Oh sorry dose it hurt, much. Ryou said you sometimes take a little medicine for flying." Seto still smirking helped Joey up.

"You bastard, I'm not flying yet you've kidnapped and drugged me." Joey was furious. "Get your hands off me!"

"Don't be so emotional," Seto was rewarded with sharp kick to the ankle.

"Even you can't get away with kidnapping and drugging people. Kaiba when you will stop . . . it's insane." Joey screamed at the top of his lungs, yet the deepest of sorrow vibrated from his lips. This was a living nightmare.

"Kaiba open the door," the boy whispered. "This time you've gone too far."

"Listen there's nothing outside, you're just being stubborn."

"Let me go, you bastard." Joey stood at the door banging for all he was worth. "There's nothing inside either." He leaned against the door and held back his tears of frustration.

Seto flinched at the cold remark. 'No smart retort from his puppy,' he thought. "Ok, you're free to go but don't blame me for your stupidly, mutt."

"Ass,"

"Take this mutt, it raining."

Joey turned away from the offered coat and umbrella. Rain plummeted down on Joey's face as he stepped outside the bus. His vision was completely blurred and shivers ran up and down his spine which only intensified the discomfort he felt in his body. Soon his legs would ache if he didn't get out of the weather. 'Damn that Kaiba, if I don't go back inside he'll end up carrying me or worst I'll ask for his help.'

Seto drove the bus to a slow cruise and badgered Joey from an open window. "Joey you're being stupid . . . look I just want to talk. . . . You'll get sick in this rain . . . . Please."

"Please, one simple word and the blond almost fell in the street. He only heard Kaiba speak so gently in his dreams. Maybe he was being childish; but he'd never admit that too Kaiba. Kaiba rushed out and blocked Joey from walking any further. Joey refused to look directly at the face in front of him, instead he headed towards the door and Seto stepped to the side and opened if for the stubborn boy.

"There's an inn up ahead, we can talk and if you still want to go . . . . I won't stop you, baby!!!" Now Seto sigh.

Joey stumbled against the seat and allowed Kaiba to guide him down deep into the plush cushion. He closed his eyes and thought about the gentle words so unlike Kaiba. 'I know this is a trap, but I can't resist. He called me, baby.'

R/r

This is only part I it wouldn't have read well if posted together. Review and I promise I'll get the next part of very soon, love ya….