Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Summoning Death ❯ Chapter Four: Purging ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Yu_Gi_Oh! is owned by its creator, Kabuki Takahashi and its respective anime companies. I'm borrowing the characters and ideas for a nonprofit fan fiction written solely for the enjoyment of myself, and hopefully others.

All rights and privileges to Gundam Wing are trademarks and property of Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. The characters of these works are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit.

Author's Notes: To fully understand this fan fic, which is part of a much larger arc, I highly suggest that you read Animom's "KP Duty" and the first two chapters of the sequel "Coming Clean". I am blessed that she allowed me to play this story in her richly written AU arc about what really happened when Seto Kaiba lost his soul to Pegasus. These stories are about recovery and coming to terms with oneself after the unthinkable happens.

Again, I cannot stress how good these stories are and I am unable to find the words to fully convey my feelings on this subject.

It was a beautiful morning. The sky was a cloudless, brilliant blue. Birds chirped merrily in their little trees. It was the sort of morning that inspired running around and singing in a grassy meadow.

Duo scowled at the merrily chirping birds and wished for a shot gun. Or a good machine gun to kill the little fuckers and shut them up. Duo, by nature, wasn't a morning person. He was purely nocturnal, preferring to work until the wee morning hours and sleep until the sun started sinking over the horizon.

Still, he had to admit it was a beautiful morning. The sort of day that gave hope. A great day to start anew, for rebirth.

Yawning, Duo braided his hair and dressed. He had all day to form a new plan of attack. Mokuba would be at school and Seto would get home even later than his brother because of Seto's self-imposed duties at Kaiba Corp.

A great day for rebirth.

He strolled out of his room, whistling slightly to himself. Light poured through the many windows, forming golden pools on the floor. Duo couldn't help but to be in a good mood this morning and found that he was even hungry, and he was never hungry when he first woke up.

On the way to the kitchen, Duo heard a small chiming sound. As he went the other way down the hallway to locate it, he noticed that the study door was cracked open.

Now, that was strange. Sure, he'd only been staying at the Kaiba mansion for a few days, but the study was usually closed up. He opened the door and stepped in.

Duo frowned when he saw a neat row of three empty liquor bottles on the desk next to a laptop computer. He picked up a bottle of whiskey and frowned. It was a fairly dusty bottle, probably resting in the liquor cabinet for years until recently. He saw finger smudges in the dust that were long and slender, obviously Seto's.

"Good morning, Duo."

It took him a minute to locate the source of the voice. Seto was sitting in the shadows, in a deep leather armchair, his eyes glowing like two blue coals.

Duo sighed, "Seto, what the hell did you do?"

"You told me last night that I should stop running and face what happened to me. I think you'd be pleased I took your advice." His voice was emotionless, dark, a perfect monotone. Duo felt a chill run down his spine at its familiarity.

"I don't recall telling you to get drunk," Duo replied, looking down at the whiskey bottle again.

"Oh, but I am not drunk." Seto said precisely, holding up one finger. His speech had no trace of slurring, unusual for someone who had apparently polished off three bottles. "I calculated, based on my body weight, exactly how much of each of the items in my stepfather's liquor cabinet I'd need to drink, and how often, to stay just under the legal limit of intoxication." He pointed at the computer; there was a countdown window on screen, showing 57 minutes. "One level shot glass per hour. I'm self-medicating."

"And you did this because? Thinking it would help you remember what happened to you?" Duo demanded, taking a step closer to him and planning to throw away the bottle that he noticed resting at Seto's side.

"Oh I already knew what happened to me, in principle." he replied. "I received the details from the man who gave me medical attention afterwards. But apparently knowing isn't good enough, I must also remember. And even though you haven't specifically said so, I assumed I needed to also 'get in touch with my feelings'. The books and the chat room quacks use that phrase a lot. Surprisingly, the alcohol has been a great help there, really, I guess I've been, what's the word, 'repressing'? But I am past that now, so I can 'share' with you what I felt. What I am still feeling." There was such loathing in his voice.

Duo started to move toward him, "You didn't have to get . . ."

"Shut up and listen, Duo," Seto said. He had pulled a revolver from the cushions of the chair. "You pressured me to do this, so I insist you listen to my report."

"Give me the gun, Seto." Duo said.

"No, I don't think I will."

"Guns and drinking don't mix."

"Well, I decided to leave my options open." Seto said darkly, and it chilled Duo.

"My life is cheap." Different set of blue eyes and tone, but the danger was still there, as well as the self-destruction. Duo stood still and waited.

Seto tucked the gun deep into the cushion. "I started with the Glenfiddich," he said, pointing to one of the empty bottles on the desk, "which is a single malt whiskey. It was my stepfather's favorite. He always referred to it as a 'man's drink'. Being a real man, taking it like a man - these concepts were very important to Kaiba Gozaburo. It was important to him that I learn them too. So he taught me not to make a sound when he beat me. Because that was 'taking it like a man'. Holding back my tears when he burned me or hurt me in other ways: that was 'taking it like a man.' And any time I was in pain, he taught me never to seek comfort. Because seeking comfort is weak. Because real men don't seek comfort."

Duo snapped, "That's not true. Strength is admitting and accepting that you need help. He was insane."

"Of course it's ridiculous. At least I prevented him from teaching Mokuba those lessons. Mokuba knows that he can come to me for comfort. That he's not alone, that I at least will always be here for him. Even have a hug for him if he needs it."

Duo tried to meet his eyes as he said, "You can't go on like that either. You need someone too."

Seto continued as if he hadn't heard, "So I know my stepfather would have been proud of me, you see, because I took what happened like a man. I didn't cry or run away. Of course I couldn't - I had to do whatever they said. And since they didn't command me to cry or run away - I didn't."

They . . . Duo's eyes widened in revulsion as the word sank in. They, as in more than one? As in, there was more than just Pegasus involved?

"He gave me to his friends to play with. Five of them, at least. Last night I got their names and pictures all ready for you on my computer, once I remembered their faces." His voice wavered, "Maybe you can make an exception. Because they didn't play nice. Their ideas of fun - . Each worse than the last." His voice cracked. "It hurt." He blinked, shook his head, pressed his lips together. Cleared his throat. "They got frustrated that I didn't make a sound. So the things they used kept getting bigger and thicker and longer and sharper, until I just - went away."

"Each thing?" Duo asked, horror dawning. He felt sick and angry at the same time.

"At the end they just kicked and beat me. I think they were angry that I wasn't more entertaining. They stopped when their arms and legs got tired."

Duo sat, so stunned and lost in thought that he didn't notice that Seto was chugging the bottle he'd kept by his side. By the time he reacted, the bottle was empty.

"The timer didn't go off," Duo pointed out as he looked at the gleaming glass. He's going to make himself sick or worse if I don't act. But what the hell am I going to do? Tackle him? Wrestle the booze and gun away from him after all of this? I can't do that. Damn.

"Fuck the timer."

Duo crossed his arms and replied, "You were the one who had everything calculated, Seto. Wanna ruin that?"

Seto wasn't listening. "Hey, do you think once the story of my starring performance gets out, they'll be lining up around the block, my potential lovers? The CEO who took it like a man. Hell, everyone will want me to be their bitch. The meek, obedient, slut who'll do anything you ask." His speech was already starting to slur slightly.

"Hey," he pulled the gun back out of the cushions. "I know tricks. I'll bet they'll like this one, tell me what ya think."

Duo tensed.

"Watch." Seto licked the barrel of the gun, then put it into his mouth, and slid it slowly in and out suggestively, his eyes feverish, his pale cheeks burning.

Duo froze, feeling chills down his spine. He watched the hammer of the revolver and Seto's hand around the grip. He watched helplessly as Seto continued his obscene motions.

Finally Seto pulled the gun out of his mouth. "Aw, we should have taped that for my dating video." His speech was much thicker now, his movements un-coordinated. When he went to rest his elbow on the chair arm he missed, and the gun fell from his hand to the floor.

Duo dove for the gun and clicked the safety on. He opened the chamber and took out the .45's massive bullets. He put the revolver on the bar and placed the bullets in his pocket. "I don't think you're ready to play with guns yet," Duo drawled as he turned to look at Seto, "So, let's just put it over here for now."

"Oh Duo, you're been so nice to me. How can I ever repay you?" His head was unsteady. "I know!" He put his hands to the waistband of his pants, his arms like a badly manipulated marionette.

"What are you doing?"

"Takin' clothes off." Seto said.

Duo crossed his arms and demanded, "Why?"

"So you can fuck me. You been after me since I brought you here. So let's jump into bed now, since I'm finally in the mood, eh?"

Duo retorted, "Don't be stupid. It won't be any fun for either one of us if you're drunk off your ass."

"Why not?" Seto asked, tilting his head as he looked Duo over.

Duo bit his lip before answering, "Because you won't be in control of yourself. I like my partners responsive, Blue Eyes."

"Pfffft!" Seto flapped a hand in a gesture so uncharacteristic it would have been funny if the circumstances had been different. "I've never been there any other time, anyhow. I go away in my head." His hands clumsily went back to his fly.

Duo sighed as he walked over to Seto. He chided, "Come on, let me make you a cup of coffee or get you a glass of water. Or a stomach pump. Something to help get all of this shit out of your system."

"Ooo, I went over my scien-tif-i-cally calculated limit. But, who gives a flying rat ass, anyhow?" Seto snorted. Duo braced his feet against the chair and pulled him up, then watched as he grew even paler, his skin gaining a very unnatural green tint to it as he swayed on his feet.

Duo grabbed Seto before he lost his balance. He wrapped one arm around the taller boy's waist and used the other to steady his back. Still, Seto was a good seven, eight inches taller than Duo was and most of that was leg. Duo grunted as he bore most of Seto's weight and tried to keep him on his feet.

"Come on, let's get you to the bathroom," Duo grunted as he half dragged, half carried Seto toward the door of the study.

Seto met Duo's eyes and wiggled his fingers at him. He laughed resentfully before sneering, "I love the bathroom. It's my fav'rit place to come. With my bestest partner."

Duo closed his eyes and knew that Seto wasn't finished yet. He looked back at him and continued to support him, wanting to sweep him up and carry him. He wanted to hold him, cradle him close. Focus on the task. Don't let my feelings get in the way. Help him.

"My hand!" Seto laughed bitterly, throwing his arm down to his side.

Duo looked ahead and said nothing. There would of been nothing he could of said to help at that moment. Saying, "Oh yeah, I jack off in the shower too," seemed to be blunt, even for his normal standards.

As they reached the door Seto jerked and burped, and Duo watched as a froth of vomit bubbled from his lips and dribbled down his shirt. He sighed, "Come on, let's get you to the bathroom before you puke on all of your nice clothes and furniture."

In the hall, Seto said very seriously, "Hey Duo, do you know what the French word for fucking is?"

"Yeah, it's coucher," Duo answered almost absently, concentrating on getting Seto into the bathroom.

Seto reached up and turned Duo's face to his. Duo had wanted him to touch him, but not like this. The long fingers were cold and reeked of liquor. His blue eyes were hard as he spat, "Sounds like 'couch', doesn't it? That's all I am, a piece of furniture to lean on. Kaiba the amazing couch. No one ever wants me."

"Don't say that. It's not true," Duo replied gently as he lightly kicked the bathroom door open since his arms were filled with six feet one inches of Duelist.

"Not even you," Seto muttered, and sagged in his arms. Duo grunted as he kept Seto from falling onto the tile. From the window, the sunlight poured in, blanketing them in golden light, making everything seem surreal. Like it wasn't happening, that it was just some cosmic joke.

Duo knew better as he managed to keep one arm around Seto and used the other to lift up the toilet seat and lid. He started to set Seto down when Seto grasped his forearms. Duo looked at him and almost flinched. The look of anguish was too raw, too powerful to look at.

"I used to think maybe I might have a chance someday with - but it's ruined now, and maybe I was wrong anyhow, after all I was wrong about P-."

Then he dropped to his knees and retched in the general direction of the toilet. Duo flinched as he stepped back. Seto's pale hands clutched the bowl as he forced out the words.

"He kissed me and - groped me and told them -"

He vomited again -

"- they could do anything they wanted to me, as long as they didn't -"

Duo took another step back as Seto continued, his voice rising.

"- touch anything he'd touched."

He gasped and his shoulders heaved.

"- you bastard, you just stood there and drank wine -"

Seto broke off, retching again.

Duo walked over to the sink and grabbed a plastic cup. He turned on the cold water and filled the cup up, trying to give himself something to do, something to keep his mind off what Seto was saying. He couldn't touch Seto, not now, not like this.

Not when he was remembering, reliving, what happened.

"- and made jokes, and gave them points for creativity! Oh, Number five, three objects at once, triple points! "

Duo winced as the sound of Seto's retching filled the bathroom, overlapping the cheerful sound of the birds chirping outside. He grabbed the sink as he battled his own nausea. Bastards. Monsters. Demons. What sort of creature could do this? Why to him? Why at all?

He closed his eyes as Seto screamed, "And then you got bored, and made phone calls, and all the time you just watched, and did NOTHING!"

Duo's eyes flew open as he looked at Seto's form bent over the toilet, the brown hair pressed against the back, obscuring his face from view as he panted for air. The air reeked of sour vomit and sharp alcohol. Duo took shallow breaths out of his mouth as he tried to find himself, but this was worse than burning flesh and blood. At least death was the ultimate finality, the end of pain, but this was just the beginning of more suffering to come.

Seto now dry heaved. He jerked back, gasping for air and sobbing uncontrollably. Duo watched the other boy's pain, wanting to do something, to touch him, to hold him, protect him, something, but he knew he couldn't. Right now, Seto's defenses would be in high gear; he'd probably kill anyone who touched him.

"And now no one . . ." Seto punched the wall hard enough to make the medicine cabinet rattle. He slumped over the toilet and wept. "C- c- cat, cat, oh god, I'm so sorry. I waited too long. I ruined it. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, so sorry, I wanted to, I thought, so many times, but I never, I was afraid, now I can never, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…." His desolation came from a place so deep inside him it was frightening.

After a moment Duo carefully knelt down beside him and murmured, "It's over. Nothing's going to hurt you now. I'm here, I won't let anyone hurt you. Here." He held out the cup of water.

After a moment, Seto quieted, lifted his hand. Duo curled Seto's fingers around the cup, then helped guide it to his downcast mouth. He took a tiny sip.

Before he swallowed, Duo gently instructed, "Don't swallow, swish and spit."

Obediently, Seto did, still not even looking at Duo. Duo reached up and flushed, watching as the vomit swirled down into the drain. As clean water filled the bowl tiny droplets of crimson splashed into the water.

Duo looked at Seto: blood was trickling from both nostrils. He reached over and grabbed a wad of toilet paper. and gently squeezed Seto's nose shut to staunch the bleeding.

"It's over, I'm here. Nothing is going to hurt you now. I won't let it," Duo whispered fiercely, meaning every word of it.

The bleeding soon stopped, and Duo removed the wadding. Then, Seto slumped sideways in his arms. Duo blinked in surprise as he looked at Seto.

"Hey, Seto, wake up, stay with me," Duo said, shaking Seto's shoulders. He'd downed a lot of alcohol in a short time, and Duo was worried about shock. He shook him again, but Seto was unresponsive. He carefully tilted Seto's head back to open his left eye. The pupil reacted to the light and Duo gave a sigh of relief

I can't leave him like this, and but I'm not sure I can get him to his bed. Not to mention if he vomits while unconscious. I guess I gotta figure out a way for him to sleep sitting up. He eyed the tub. Unconventional, but it'll do.

Duo nodded with determination. as his nimble fingers quickly unbuttoned Seto's shirt and flung it to the side. Without support, Seto slumped forward, giving Duo a good look at his back.

Duo froze.

Like some obscene cross hatching, pale, raised welts crossed Seto's back. Duo reached out as he touched one of the scars, feeling it slick under his finger tips. The pattern was random, lashed out and overlapping until they made some obscene design. They varied in thickness and depth, some were deeper wounds than the others. They were obviously old scars, probably from when Seto was just a child.

He saw more scarring just below Seto's waist, and pulled his pants and briefs down a bit to get a closer look. Lower was a band, starting below his waist. He touched the textured flesh then slid his fingers down; the scarring went down a few inches, ending just above the buttocks. It was like an obscene parody of a chain link belt, rounded scars overlapping each other, to form one giant scar.

Duo half lifted, half pushed Seto into the tub, so he was sitting up and leaning against the wall. Then he took a washcloth, wet it, and cleaned his face and chest. When he was done he tilted Seto's face down slightly, so in case he vomited again he wouldn't asphyxiate.

"What did they do to you?" Duo whispered, gently caressing Seto's face, smoothing his hair from his eyes. They used things on him, that's what they did. They tortured him, violated him. They got off on this, those bastards. And it wasn't the first time someone has hurt him. Something Seto said clicked: "Not to cry out when he hurt me, that was taking it like a man … " If his stepfather was the cause of those odd scars, no wonder he's not too crazy about physical contact. Has anyone but Mokuba ever touched him with love?

"You're safe now. Nothing's going to hurt you now while I'm here," Duo assured him, stroking Seto's face and hair for a few minutes. He then stood up and pillowed Seto in towels, swathing his body in them like blankets and even folding one up as a pillow.

He then looked under the sink. He grinned in grim satisfaction when he saw cleaning chemicals and supplies there. He proceeded to scrub the toilet and the floor around it, filling the room with a antispetic smell that was better than the vomit any day. He put the stuff away and ran to Seto's bedroom.

He opened up the closet and frowned briefly at school uniforms and business suits. He skimmed through the clothing until he found a T-shirt and an old sweater. He folded the clothing up as he headed back to the bathroom. He sat them on the toilet.

Then he sat down, wedged between the bathtub and the toilet, and waited.

Duo was very good at waiting. He just normally chose not to, because he just didn't like to. However, when the situation called for it, he could sit perfectly still for hours.

And he had a habit of rescuing people. Maybe it was part of his extensive guilt complex because he hadn't been able to stop the Maxwell's Massacre. Or maybe it had something to do with the fact that he was tired of watching people do nothing and decided to take matters in his own hands.

Now he was doing both. He was waiting to save Seto. He knew that sounded strange, but the words rang true in his head. And Duo was a stickler for the truth.

Seto had shifted in his sleep, curling up over himself protectively, occasionally whimpering. When he did this, Duo had stroked his hair until he quieted again. It was obvious that Seto was battling his own demons right now.

Duo closed his eyes and rested his head against the cool bathroom tile. The birds were still chirping outside and the sunlight was still pouring in from the window, pooling them in its warmth. The shadows were growing in the bathroom however.

Seto's rhythmic breathing filled the bathroom until its pattern changed and the sound of damp cloth rustled along with it. Duo had been checking Seto's vitals every so often to make sure that he wasn't showing signs of alcohol poisoning or shock. However, this was the first sign of movement that the other teen had given all afternoon.

"God . . ." Seto groaned.

Duo looked over at him awkwardly. He didn't know what to say so he just looked at Seto expectantly, waiting for him to make the first move. If he did, then there would be something worth saving, something that Duo could work from. Blue eyes did not meet his own as Seto took notice of his surroundings, the towels forming a sort of nest around him.

"I can't believe I did that," Seto confessed, pulling his knees up and holding them.

Duo reached out and brushed Seto's damp hair from his eyes, Seto probably too hung over to flinch. "Stress does all sorts of crazy things to people," Duo replied.

Seto stated, "You were with me." Duo nodded, blushing slightly. Seto groaned and pressed a hand to his head.

Seto pulled a towel tightly around his shoulders. He murmured, "You took care of me." His speech was slow.

"Of course I did," Duo replied.

"I came on to you."

Duo felt his cheeks grow even warmer as he nodded. "You could say that," he replied as he scratched his nose.

"Did we -?"

Duo shook his head. "No."

Seto finally looked up at him and asked, "Why?"

"Because I'm not like that," Duo answered simply.

Seto groaned again and rested his head against the tiles. "I think I'm going to be sick again," he confessed in a shaking voice.

Duo snorted, "With all the booze you drank I wouldn't be surprised. You should have a hangover the size of China."

Seto shivered. Duo reached out and touched his shoulder. Surprisingly, he didn't move away from this either. Duo gently said, "Here's a shirt. I'm going to get you something to take care of that hangover."

"Duo," Seto called out as Duo stood up.

Duo turned back to face the other teen, curled up in the nest of towels, leaning against the wall for support. He offered him a small smile and replied, "Yeah?"

"Come back."

Duo smiled and promised, "I won't be gone long."

Seto was sleeping the effects of the alcohol off when Mokuba got home from school.

Duo had Brasher buy some snack foods before she left for the day. Surprisingly, she had good taste. So, loaded down with milk (both regular and chocolate), and Oreos, Duo met Mokuba.

"Hey Duo," Mokuba chirped, taking the two mugs from Duo's hands.

Duo grinned and replied, "Hey kiddo, thanks. I've got all sorts of bad things for us to eat today. Oreos, some chips, and some strange sort of Pocky."

"Alright! Pocky!" Mokuba crowed.

Duo shushed him, "Hey, your brother's asleep."

"He is?" Mokuba asked, his voice going down a few decimals as they walked to the living room together. Duo already had the PS2 plugged up and ready to go with Resident Evil Zero. The two settled down on the carpet with mugs of milk, the cookies, chips, and Pocky.

Mokuba already ripped into a package of White Chocolate Pocky and alternated between bites of it and the Oreos. He asked, "Why's Seto asleep?"

Duo opened up the bag of chips and took a handful. He answered, "Well, he drank something that he shouldn't have and it made him sick." Ah, that's the truth without any ugly details.

"Is he okay?" Mokuba asked, looking up with wide eyes.

Duo patted the child's head and answered, "He's just got a bad headache that he's sleeping off right now. He did puke for a while though."

"Gross. But you're sure that he's okay, right?" Mokuba prodded, placing the Pocky in his lap as he grabbed the controller.

Duo nodded and answered, "Yeah, he will be."

The game loaded and Mokuba said, "Seto doesn't get enough rest. When he's not with me or at school, all he does is work."

"He needs a break then," Duo decided as Mokuba shot the first zombie that came on screen. Duo flinched at the blood spraying as the undead creature fell to the ground. The creepy thing was that the game was very realistic, making it even more frightening. Hell, even the gun information was accurate.

Mokuba nodded and shyly looked up at Duo, his mouth full of cookies and Pocky.

Duo nudged him and asked, "What is it, Mokuba? If it can help Seto, I wanna know."

Mokuba twisted the controller in his lap and answered, "Well, I had this really nice dream before I got my body back. And Seto was really happy in it too."

"What happened?" Duo asked as he ate a cookie.

Mokuba smiled in remembrance. "Seto and I were in Milan for a business trip. He had this extremely cool car that he drove really fast. We listened to music with the top down."

"What kind of car was it?" Duo asked, remembering only limos in the garage.

Mokuba grinned as he blasted another zombie. Duo's character barely avoided becoming Zombie Chow as they progressed. He smirked as he picked up a new gun, better than the 9mm his character was previously using.

Mokuba answered, "Some race car from Europe. Seto's got the website bookmarked. It's really cool."

Duo grinned and nudged Mokuba. He said, "Thanks kiddo."

Mokuba looked up at him and replied, "You're welcome, but why does it help?"

"Seto needs to play, and I'm not talking about cards," Duo mused as they continued to get farther in the game.

Mokuba looked at him and asked, "What do you mean, Duo?"

Duo smirked as he got two of the zombies with one shot. He answered, "You know, stuff to make him happy. Other than you of course."

Mokuba nodded as he took out another zombie. He suggested, "Well, he should definitely get that car. And a girlfriend."

"Oh, playing matchmaker are we?" Duo teased, nudging the boy with his foot, "But you're definitely right. Seto could use a girlfriend." Or a boyfriend.

Matter-of-factly, Mokuba said, "Or a boyfriend."

Duo's mouth dropped open as he gaped at the boy. He had been thinking the same thing. Was the kid telepathic or something?

Mokuba continued, "Probably have to be a boyfriend. Seto doesn't know any girls. Except Mai and Anzu. And Mai's way too old and Anzu's Yugi's girlfriend."

"Mokuba!" Duo gasped, wondering how the hell the kid was so smart for his age. So observant. Reminds me of a little demon . . . Maybe I could braid his hair. I'd bet that Seto would love that.

Mokuba continued to play, shooting some of the zombies that Duo had left behind. He replied, "What? It's no big deal if it's a boyfriend or anything. Just long as it's someone nice like . . ." He paused thoughtfully before looking at Duo and chirping, "You!"

" Moi?" Duo squeaked, trying to keep his eyes from bulging out of his head in shock.

Mokuba blasted the head off a zombie dog and stated, "Maybe you could be Seto's boyfriend."

Duo swore that his mouth hit the floor at that moment. Mokuba chuckled at the look on his face.

"Come on, Duo, I know you like him," Mokuba chuckled, nudging him with his knee as he reached for some chocolate milk.

Duo sighed and ruffled Mokuba's hair. He pointed out, "But I can't stay here forever. Living Embodiment of Death and all."

Mokuba sighed, "I forgot about that."

"It's okay. Sometimes I forget too. Not that I wouldn't mind being your brother's boyfriend. Gives me an excuse to play video games. Anyway, Seto's Significant Other. They should be nice," Duo began, looking at the boy expectantly.

Mokuba shot open a box and picked up some more ammunition. He suggested, "Funny. Like you."

Duo nodded in agreement and replied, "That's for damned sure. Seto doesn't laugh enough." He rolled his eyes, "Or at all."

Mokuba bounced back and forth in a rocking motion. His controller shook in his hands as he exclaimed, "And cute. Someone cute and - sexy!" Duo noticed the bright red spreading across his cheeks right before the little boy blurted out, "And a good kisser! You know, for making out!"

"Mokuba!"

Mokuba saved the game and turned towards Duo. He continued, "And they gotta like kids. They should be brave too, so that they can act like a bodyguard and watch Seto. And they gotta be able to yell at him when he's being stupid. Oh, and I've gotta like 'em too."

"Well, that's quite the list there, kiddo." Duo cleared his throat thoughtfully as he remembered what Seto had said earlier. Something about screwing up a chance. A chance with who?

I think this is going to be a job for Mistress Mai.

Mokuba took another swig of chocolate milk and wiped the traces off his lips with the back of his hands. He asked, "So, now what?"

"Well, your brother's not ready for a boyfriend just yet, but I think I can help," Duo answered.

Okay, first and foremost, this chapter was a real bitch to write.

At the planning stages, Animom and I were talking about weaving our stories together to make them work as a whole. Well, she came up with this excellent idea of Seto getting drunk, remembering what happened, and puking his guts out, leaving Duo to take care of him. And as all of you GW fans know, Duo likes to play the rescuer.

Well, I was all ready to go with this chapter. I could see it in my head perfectly. I just couldn't get it down for shit.

It was like a kendo battle that I couldn't win. It was fighting downhill with someone who used two swords and was a lot bigger and better than I was. I knew what needed to be written, but I couldn't do it to my satisfaction.

As one of my favorite vampires would say, "Bloody hell."

Animom came to the rescue, bless her. She wrote Seto's dialogue and actions and I added Duo. This is the pivotal chapter right here, dear readers, the one where Seto remembers what happened to him as opposed to just knowing. It's also where . . .

You'll think I'll give it away?

No, you'll just have to continue reading.

Anyway, this is more Animom's chapter than mine. I just supplied Duo.

(We interrupt this Author's Note to give you a comment from Animom: I strongly disagree with that last line - this is a chapter from BOTH of us (unless Elf's many fans totally hate this chapter, in which case it's all my fault.) It was a true collaboration: we went back and forth trading ideas, I drafted some Duo, she drafted some Seto, we both contributed to the conversation between Duo and Mokuba -- then Elf put it all together, and we've both done final tweaking. Heh, heh, Elfmabud, since I get to do final proof and HTML formatting, I got to sneak in a last word! Neener-neener!)

Animom, thank you again. See what happens when great minds think alike? Well, other than angst of course.