Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Cold Hard Truth ❯ Undefined ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

AN1: To those who find this story familiar, this is a reposting from my other names, KaiaSkye and rare'treasure on fanfiction.net (to assure you that I'm not a plagiarist). As always I don't own anything except for this creative world and my OCs. Yes, there are OCs in this one and this story takes place  years later in the Cold Hard Truth World; in which Joey is 23, Seto (24), and Mokuba is 18. ~k~

Forget rain, it was an all out monsoon that sent people either scurrying for cover or cursing at the inadequacy of umbrellas. Amid all this sodden mess was a wet blond head. Long bangs covered the man's eyes from his own personal pain that he still lived in on this certain day. It marked the end of one thing and the start of something he never would have imagined. Maybe in his wildest dreams…erm, nightmares…, because fate had seemed to have it in for him when he was a teenager. Least that's what he keeps telling himself so he won't think of her.

A heavy sigh left his lips when he walked into the Domino City Cemetery. Ornate headstones lined the path past the gothic iron gate. Man he hated this place, but it was the only way he could be near her after… Joey shook his head as he once again wished that he had taken Seto up on his offer, but his lover had a meeting he was unable to get out of and his sister couldn't wait. Not after he failed her six years ago. His heavy feet found the stone he searched for. His fingers tenderly touched the letters that spelled 'Serenity Wheeler' then laid down the single white rose on her grave.

After a few moments of whispered words a soft sound reached his ears. It was the melody of a long forgotten lullaby that led him a few rows from Serenity's grave. The soft notes shook amid the sound of the rain until they faded away into dry sobs. A young girl with short brunette hair sat huddled against a small granite marker on the fresh mound of wet dirt. Mud smudged her cheeks as she clutched her ripped, jean-clad knees to her thin chest. The shivering child moved Joey's heart in a way that prompted him to lay his long jacket on her thin shoulders.

Vivid blue eyes looked up into the warm eyes of a stranger whose smile set her at ease. It warmed her better than the damp jacket she snuggled into, but it was only enough to lift the corners of her mouth slightly as she refocused her gaze on the granite words before her. 'Mika Rae.' "My sister was swept away in the flood and they just found her a few days ago."

Joey drew her into his arms and stroked her soaked, ragged hair. "My sister, Serenity, died too."

"How?"

His eyes darkened at the painful memory. "Some stupid accident with my father. She fell down a flight of cement stairs and never woke up."

"I'm Seka.  What's your name?"

"Joey.  How old are you, Seka?"

"Twelve…today…Mika was six." She whispered with a hitch in her voice.

Tears pricked Joey's eyes then he stood. "C'mon, Seka, I'll take ya home since your little sis wouldn't want ya ta get sick."

Seka looked away with a sad sigh. "We lost everything in the flood and Mamma left me at the shelter after we buried Mika. Said she couldn't take it anymore and I'm afraid that…"

He swallowed hard then reached down to scoop the sodden child into his arms. "You're gonna come home with me and I promise that we'll help ya find your Mamma."

“Kay.”  The child slumped in his arms and she seemed to breathe out in a way that frightened him.

"Seka?" Joey asked fearfully when she grew still until the soft breath against his cheek reassured him that she had just fallen asleep. The hot skin against his lips worried him so he ran out of the cemetery. Least Kaiba Corp wasn't that far away and Seto should still be there. Of all days to forget his cell phone…

~js~

"Where is he?" Seto Kaiba huffed as he clicked his cell phone shut. Despite the tone is his voice, worry shimmered in the brunet's blue eyes.

Mokuba placed a hand on his older brother's shoulder. "He might be in the cemetery still and lost track of time. You know how Joey is, big brother, and I bet he forgot his cell."

"You're probably right, Mokuba, thank you."

"Hey, no problem. Maybe we should go and drive toward the cemetery. We just might save him a few steps in the rain."

He shook his head with a light chuckle. "Let's go then. You might as well call James and make sure he has extra blankets in the car for my wet puppy."

"Righto, Seto." Mokuba answered brightly before the teenager pulled out his phone.

Moments later the brothers stepped onto the sidewalk only to see the drenched blond run toward them with a small bundle in his bare arms. Seto's eyes widened as he hurried toward the shivering blond. "Where have you been, Joey?"

Joey sprayed Seto in the face with water when he shook his sodden head. "Later, Seto. We gotta get Seka warm before she gets any sicker."

"Seka?" Seto asked as he moved Joey's coat from the bundle to see brown hair plastered to flushed cheeks. He winced when his hand touched her hot forehead then drew it away to pull out his cell. "There are extra blankets in the limo, Joey. I'll call Rosalie and let her know we're bringing her another patient."

"Thanks, Set." He panted then slid inside the car's warmth.

"Here, Joey." Mokuba said as he wrapped a warm blanket around his other brother's shoulders and looked questionably at the girl when sapphire blue eyes met his. "Hey there, I'm Mokuba."

"Seka." The girl whispered as she allowed him to wrap her into a warm blanket. She snuggled into the drier arms with drowsy eyes when a taller brunet got in. She studied him curiously when he pulled Joey into his arms.

"This is Seto, my life partner." Joey smiled drowsily. "He'll help me find your mom."

"In the meantime, you will stay with us." Seto stated firmly.

The young girl's lips curled up slightly in response as her heavy eyelids drew shut. Mokuba brushed the wet strands from her thick eyelashes and felt the strange urge to protect her. "Where did you find her, Joey?"

"The cemetery, not too far from Serenity's grave. Seka's sister, Mika, died in the flood and her mom left after her body was recovered. Mika was a year older than Ren and Seka is twelve today."

"Poor kid, she's had a rotten birthday." The dark haired teen muttered as he studied her when realization filled his violet eyes. "That was the same age as Seto when we were adopted. She's almost a mini female version of you, Seto."

"Must be why I'm already attached ta her." Joey murmured.

Seto sighed as her ran his fingers through his love's wet, golden strands. "You do realize, Pup, that even if we do find her mother that she may not be…able to care for Seka."

"I do, Set.  I still have to try because not having answers is the hardest thing.  That and family is family. They lost everything in the flood. If it doesn't turn out we can at least give Seka a home, another chance at family."

"You certainly do have a heart of gold, Pup." He whispered huskily as he kissed the blonde's warm forehead. "Soon as we get home you're going to take a warm shower so you don't get sick as well."

"Kay, but then I wanna check on Ren. I really hated leaving her today with Rosalie since she only has a cold, but I had ta visit Serenity."

"Woah, check out her locket." Mokuba suddenly exclaimed. "Cept for the obvious difference, her and her sister looks like us then only they look happy."

Joey and Seto leaned forward then Joey whistled softly. "Wow no kidding."

"You shouldn't snoop like that, Mokuba."

"I was only curious what the gold chain led to and then I just couldn't help myself." He muttered as he replaced the golden locket in time to see misty blue eyes studying his face. "I'm sorry, I just…"

"It's okay. Mika woulda liked you. You remind me of her; same color of eyes." Seka sighed tiredly.

Just then the divider that separated them from the driver slid down and James intoned. "We have arrived, Mr. Kaiba."

"Thank you, James." He answered then stepped out of the car with Joey in his arms while Mokuba followed him with Seka.

A pretty woman with cinnamon brown hair met them at the door with concern in her kind eyes. "Joey, you better hit the showers.  Seto, you help him; although, I'm sure I don't need to talk you into it. Mokuba, follow me and we'll get my new patient comfortable. We've already prepared a room for her."

"Yes, ma'am." They answered then rushed to do her bidding.

Later, Dr. Rosalie joined the brothers in the family room where Joey was snuggled against Seto in front of a cozy fire. He set down his empty mug and turned expectant honey-brown eyes toward her. "How is she?"

"Asleep and quite content considering the circumstances. With good food and proper care, Seka will be better within the week at most. I fear she contracted a bit of a cold, but your quick thinking saved her from a nasty case of pneumonia."

"That's good news." Joey sighed.

Seto noticed the shadow that had crossed her face. "There is something bothering you, Doctor."

She sighed as she sat down in a nearby chair. "For one, she's disturbingly underweight for a twelve-year-old. Also there are older scars on her back that suggest child abuse along with recent burn marks on her arms. When I asked if her father did this to her, she told me that shehad  never known her father."

Horrified expressions crossed the men's features in various ways and Seto pulled Joey closer to him when the blond shivered. "In that case, she should not go back to her mother; provided she can be found. However, I will still make an active search for her mother just to charge her with child abuse and neglect. After what had happened to Joey with his own father, I had vowed that I would help others who were in a similar situation."

"Well then here's your chance, because that little girl really needs someone to love and care for her." Dr. Rosalie stood with a smile. "You always had a good heart, Seto, even when you were reluctant to show it."

A sudden scream from upstairs sent the doctor racing back to her patient with the men close behind. Little Ren stood in the hallway in her footie pajamas as she rubbed her brown eyes. "What was that sound, Daddy?"

Joey scooped his small daughter into his arms and kissed her fair blond head. "I brought home a little girl who got sick from the cold rain. She's twelve and she's gonna be staying with us for awhile."

"What's her name?"

"Seka and you'll meet her when she's better. Now I'll take you back to bed."

Ren sighed tiredly as she accepted a kiss from her father and uncle. "Night, Papa. Night, Uncle Mokie."

"Goodnight, Princess." Seto whispered tenderly before his love carried her back to bed. He followed Mokuba into the next room and found the doctor trying to comfort the young girl.

Mokuba sat down on the bed next to them and rubbed the girl's back until she relaxed. It surprised them when Seka turned to snuggle into his arms as she drifted off to sleep once again. Mokuba tenderly kissed her damp hair then went to stand, but she whimpered in protest. "Don't leave."

"Okay, Seka, I'll stay." He whispered as he settled beside her in a more comfortable position.

"Promise?" Scared blue eyes searched his face for reassurance so he hugged her close.

"Promise. Now go to sleep."

~jk~

The morning sun filtered through the window and shone on the young girl as if to beckon her to open her eyes. Blue eyes widened at the unfamiliar ceiling so she sat up to investigate. Sharp pain caused her to groan and grab her head until a comforting hand brushed the damp bangs from her eyes. She flinched, but the voice from the night calmed her. "Hey take it easy, Seka, you've had a rough night. Not to mention that you're sick and need your rest after some warm chicken broth that Rosalie will bring soon."
'He has nice eyes…Mika.'  Tears welled up into blue eyes at the memory of her sister, but Seka bit her lip in an effort to force them back.

Mokuba rubbed her back as she started to tremble with the effort of repressing her feelings. "Hey, Seka, you don't need to hide how sad you feel."

"I'm supposed to be strong; I'm the oldest. It was my job to protect her! Instead, I just let her…it's my fault!" She cried out, the force of her words caused her to dissolve in a fit of coughing.

It took her so long to catch her breath that Mokuba had picked up the phone to call Rosalie when she took another soft breath. Concern and fear still colored his voice as he held the receiver. "Are you alright? Do I need to call Dr. Rosalie?"

A soft knock on the door prevented her from answering when Dr. Rosalie stepped in with a smile. "Is everything alright in here? I heard Seka getting worked up when I was with Ren."

Seka looked away with a light tinge of redness on her cheeks. The doctor sighed when she placed her cool hand on the still warm head. "Seems like you still have a light fever, Seka. I have Tylenol and chicken soup coming up for both my patients. Now you settle back and take it easy before you have another attack, young lady."

"Yes, ma'am." She whispered.

"Uncle Mokie!" Came the stuffed up cry from a little pixie-like girl with messy blonde hair as she ran into the room to throw herself into the teen's arms.

"Ren, good morning. Are you supposed to be up?"

Guilt shone in the warm brown eyes that instantly turned puppy-like. "Ummm not quite, but I missed you and you never came to visit me last night."

A soft smile drove away his attempt at seriousness. "Sorry, princess, but Seka needed me. Lets say I make it up to you later with…"

"Ahem!" Rosalie reminded them of her presence with her hand on her hips and a stern expression.

"Mokuba, need I remind you that Ren is still sick? Miss Ren, you need to get back into bed."

"Awww but, Dr. Rosa, I'm so tired of bed cause I've been there for sooooo long and it's no fun."

"You still need to rest and so does Seka if either one of you wishes to get better."

"She can stay if she wants to." Seka suggested quietly. "I mean there is enough room in this bed for two and…"

More red touched her cheeks as she nibbled lightly on her lip before she took another deep breath in order to admit "I just don't want to be alone anymore. A-at least not quite yet if it's okay."

"Sure it's okay as long as both of you agree to not get overexcited and to actually get some rest." Joey made the final decision from the still open doorway."

"Daddy!" Ren sniffled when he took her from her uncle to snuggle his little angel.

Seka gazed curiously at the heartwarming display with the familiar ache of what had been missing. She placed her small hand against that ache that threatened to tear her heart when another wave of loneliness hit, making her feel lost. Blue eyes shone with a sheen of tears as she forced down the lump in her throat before it could choke her again. So lost in her world, the warm arm that pulled her to a strong chest startled her and made her flinch. Compassion shone in Mokuba's eyes as he squeezed her lightly. "It's okay, Seka, you're not alone anymore."

Joey sat down beside them with Ren's arms still around his neck. "He's right, Seka. We care about you and you don't have to be afraid cause you'll always have us."

Doubt clouded her eyes when her back stiffened once more with her attempt to be strong. "I don't understand how you can. You don't even know me or what I've…you can't understand."

"But I do." He said quietly then explained. "We know about the scars and I have my share as well."

Realization replaced doubt when her eyes widened at the pain in his honey brown orbs. "Your father?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry." She whispered as she wrapped her skinny arms around his neck.

Ren grinned then scooted closer to her new 'sister'. 'It's funny how families find themselves sometimes.' Seto thought from his position against the doorframe. "Now that makes a nice picture."

"It sure does." Rosalie agreed with a content smile before she left the room with "I should see to the status of that tray."

Joey looked up at his love with surprise as if he had just realized something.  "Seto, I thought you had to go to the office."

Seto smiled as he joined his puppy to kiss him softly on the lips. "Me too, but the rain is so bad I decided not to chance it. In fact, I had Roland call everyone to make sure they stay safe with pay. The last thing I want is to risk someone's life just for the company."

"And that's why I still love you." Joey said tenderly as he rubbed their noses together.

"Get a room!" Mokuba teased them which brought a look of consternation to his niece's face.

"What does that mean, Uncle Mokie? Don't they already have a room?"  She asked cutely.

Seka snickered when Seto glared at his brother then swung his daughter into his arms. "Never mind, Princess, you should know by now how much your uncle likes to tease. And from now on he will temper his comments or I will require his presence in more meetings."

"Awe alright, Big Brother." He pouted then grinned at the content expression on their new charge's face. "He drives a hard bargain doesn't he, Seka?"

She nodded until her face took on a green tint which caused her to scramble from the bed and into a door she hoped was the bathroom. Tears spilled from her eyes as she heaved into the toilet again before she laid wearily onto the cool tile floor. The memory of the only other comforting presence she had known made her curl into a ball while her shoulders shook with the return of her misery. What right did she have anyway to be happy without Mika anyway? Especially when it was her fault since she couldn't keep her grip on the tiny fingers. She could still feel those icy fingers letting go of her hand and her screams…

~js~


Seka sat up when another scream tore her throat. Tears streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt to warm herself in the dark room. Figures that it would all be a dream mixed with nightmares and that fact alone caused the empty place in her heart to ache more. She stiffened when tiny arms wrapped around her waist and a small sad face glanced up at her, which made her heart to ache more. "Don't cry, Seka, it was only a dream. You're not alone anymore."

Still unfocused, she cried more. "But I let you go, Mika. I had you, but I still let you go."

Another voice whispered to her from the dark that still lingered from her dreams. 'I'm still here, Big Sister. Find me, I'm scared.'

"You don't have to be scared, Sissy." Ren whispered as she snuggled closer to the older girl. The soft tune that left her lips soon calmed her in a way that Mokuba's arms had not and soon both girls were once again asleep.

Tender smiles graced the lips of the caring men that watched over them from the doorway. Joey rested his head on his love's shoulder for a few moments longer. "In time she'll be alright."

"Time and love." Seto agreed.