Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Crimson Trust ❯ Chapter Four ( Chapter 4 )

Author: Yami Neferbre

Title: Crimson Trust
Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh, or CSI Miami, or Waste by Staind, or I want to save you by Something Corporate.

Paring: SetoxYami
Rating: R (just to be safe with the content)

Warning: Violence, language, sexual content, mention of rape (it's not really noticeable yet)

Spoilers: None
Summary: Yami has always been lied to, always been betrayed and hurt. Working as a special agent for the CSI crime lab in Miami he finds peace while raising his younger siblings. But an old enemy has returned, and a wonderful man just entered his life. Can he trust a stranger, or will he simply give up on life all together.

*** Story idea came from the song Waste by Staind***
Status: 4/29

 

A/N: Well last chappie was, interesting; it went as planned, lol. It was like thirteen pages, three less than chappie two, it was sixteen. Sorry Dragon, lol, I keep making you edit really long chappies. ^^; my bad. And just to warn you all right now, I have had an immense craving for humour, ^^, hehe. Anyway, hope you all enjoy this chappie too, and thanks for the encouragement in the reviews, u r all amazing (hugs u all!!) byez now ^^.

 

This is a chappie purely of character development, I want to get Yugi, Joey, Mai, Bakura, and Kalie all in there more. ^^

 

And I dedicate this chappie to Dark Angel Lytha, who left such a lovely review on Mediaminer. ^^ thanks muchly, and to Dragon who continues to be an amazing beta. ^^

 

FOUR

But these words
They can't replace the life you the life you waste
How could you paint this picture?
Was life as bad as it should seem?

“Sacha no,” cried Yugi.

 

Opening his eyes Yami growled as the glare of the sun blinding him momentarily, opening them again he was barley able to yawn before Kalie was scrambling behind him with a deafening scream and for their German Shepard to bound up onto the bed, barking enthusiastically as it went after its prey.

 

Spotting the said thing that was causing all the commotion Yami yelped and jumped out of the bed, Kalie following behind as Sacha continued to bounce around the scrambling tarantula upon his bed.

 

Narrowing his eyes he glanced at the door way, spotting Yugi he growled, “Get that thing off of my bed before I kill it.”

 

Dashing forward Yugi collected the scrambling spider into his hands, cradling the cursed thing to his torso before he ran out of the room, Sacha at his heels barking in protest as its `toy' was carried away.

 

Taking a breath Yami glanced back at Kalie, the two of them stared at each other for a moment before they burst out laughing, laying upon the floor as to ensure that they did not fall upon anything. Joey, hearing the commotion strode to the door, glancing in he crocked a brow before Yugi came back in.

 

“Itzy got loose,” Yugi explained. “And Sacha, being the dummy that he is, decided that Itzy was a toy.”

 

Regaining his composure Yami rose to his feet, extending a helping hand to Kalie as he went, heaving her to her feet before turning to his younger brother, his expression becoming stern, “What did I say about that…thing.”

 

“To lock the cage,” Yugi murmured, cheeks going red in embarrassment.

 

“Was it?” Yami questioned, feeling the corners of his mouth twitch as he tried to hold back a smile. Yugi looked absolutely adorable right now, and the blush was threatening to make him break down and laugh again, or force his brother to smile again.

 

“No,” Yugi muttered, shuffling his feet on the carpet.

 

“Is it going to happen again,” Yami inquired, crossing his arms, containing his mirth becoming harder as Joey began to make ridiculous faces at Kalie behind his little brother.

 

“No,” violet eyes lifting, staring innocently at his brother. That's all it took. Yami burst back into laughter, dropping down onto his bed amongst the scattered pillows. Taking advantage of this, Kalie and Yugi dashed to the bed, viciously tickling their older brother to tears.

 

Through heavy fits of laughter Yami managed to drop off of the bed, scrambling instantly to his feet and moving behind Joey, putting the poor blond between Yami and his two siblings. Throwing his hands in the air he backed away from the two, who were pretending to glare at him viciously, pressing Yami back against the wall behind him.

 

“Hey, don't get me in the middle of this.”

 

Tossing a pillow at Joey, Kalie grunted playfully before stalking down the hall to her room, sticking out her tongue before closing the door, intent on changing. Yugi merely giggled before bounding out into the upstairs living room, jumping onto the couch and gluing his attention to the Saturday morning cartoons that were playing boisterously from the television.

 

Chuckling Yami moved out from behind Joey, stepping back into his room he glanced out at his friend. Smiling brightly he leaned against the door frame, eyes closing in bliss, “What time is it.”

 

“Time for you to get to work,” Joey answered, Yami opened one eye peering at him questionly. Flashing his wrist watch up he allowed Yami to grip his wrist and peer at the contraption and bursting out laughing at the quizzical expression that passed over his friend's features.

 

“What the hell am I doing up at seven thirty on a Saturday morning. I don't need to be at work for another, oh, four and a half hours,” Yami grunted, throwing his hands dramatically in the air. “Alright, I guess I am making breakfast then.”

 

“YES,” screamed Yugi triumphantly from the couch. “I win Joey.”

 

Glancing around his door frame at Yugi, Yami scowled before averting his attention to Joey, eyes narrowed, “You both planned this didn't you.”

 

Shrugging Joey began to edge down the hallway, scratching his neck nervously, “It was more of a bet, I told him that he would not be able to wake you up without touching you himself.”

 

Snarling Yami gripped the door frame, “You are one dead bastard,” he screamed, bounding after his friend. With a startled cry Joey crashed down the stairs, sliding across the hardwood floor towards the living room on the main floor.

 

Stumbling he turned to see Yami not even a foot from him, knowing what was coming he grabbed a pillow and placed it behind his head just in time for impact. Yami tackled him, nailing him at his waist and shoving him playfully to the carpet. Grabbing one of the remaining pillows from the couch Yami began to hammer Joey with it, all the while both of them laughing enthusiastically, not knowing that they were being watched by a pair of amused violet eyes.

 

“Hey, save some for me Yami,” teased a sooth feminine voice from the island.

 

Stopping in his games Yami glanced at the island, smiling brightly as he spotted one of his childhood friends sitting upon one of the bar stools. She sat straight, posture impeccable, and making her hold the appearance of a queen with perfect grace. High cheek bones were accented by lightly tanned flesh and thick golden curls.

 

“Hello Mai,” he chuckled, rising to his feet, tossing the pillow at Joey as he did so. “I wasn't expecting to see you here till tonight.”

 

She shrugged, adjusting her strapless top, not caring that her friend saw the notion, “I decided that I was going to come bother you before you had to go to work. Besides, Joey and I have to stop at the office later today to finish off some of the effects on that one scene. So, I was going to come get some breakfast off of you.”

 

Moving into the kitchen, not caring that he was only in a pair of boxers and a long tee-shirt, Yami shoved the fridge door open, “So you were part of the bet I take it.”

 

Mai laughed brightly, glancing at Joey as her fiancé wrapped an arm around her waist as he stood beside her, “Of course.”

 

Shaking his head Yami pulled back, examining the contents of the fridge with indecision, “What the hell am I going to make.”

 

“Dunno,” Joey shrugged, giving out a yawn. “French toast.”

 

Not knowing what else to do Yami retrieved the milk and eggs. Dumping them on the counter he moved to find the cinnamon, sugar, and bread from the pantry. Grabbing a bowl to use to mix the contents he concentrated on his task as Mai went and turned on some music, the Latin vibes soon blaring through the house.

 

Finishing with the food Yami placed the large mound of French toast on a plate and handed it to Joey, turning back to retrieve the fruit salad that he had quickly made, along with the syrup, butter, and icing sugar.

 

Mai set the table quickly, placing the utensils, cups, and plates in the designated sections before retrieving Yugi and Kalie.

 

Gathering around the table the group immediately dished out their foot, laughing as they went as Joey made abnormal faces at Mai, forcing her to put the plate of French toast down before she dropped it. Giving his a swift but gentle hit over the head Yami sat down at the table beside his brother, “Sit down before you make her lose her appetite you dolt,” he teased.

 

Pouting dramatically Joey sat down beside his fiancé, wrapping an arm around her waist, not even paying attention to the food that she was dishing out onto his plate until he found one of the slices of toast squished against his mouth. Giving out a muffled cry he sat back, crocking a brow at Mai before laughing loudly, taking the slice away from his mouth and placing it on his plate.

 

Shaking his head Yami reached out to grab the butter, glancing briefly over at his brother, “How is Spanish class?”

 

Yugi smiled, “It's a blast, Mrs. Ángeles has taught us a lot, to the point were there is very little English spoken in class. After all most of us have been taking it since grade one.”

 

Smiling Yami spread the butter over his two slices before placing the butter back in the centre of the table. Retracting his arm he gasped in surprise as gentle hands gripped the said appendage, holding him along the edges of the bruises that had formed from his encounters the day before. Glancing sideways he peered at Yugi, his eyes blank as violet eyes scanned them.

 

In an instant those same hands moved up to pull the collar of his shirt down, spotting the darkened skin he narrowed his eyes, peering up at his elder brother with concern.

 

“Yami, cuáles son esas contusions,” (what are those bruises)

 

Yami froze, his throat going dry as he glanced around the table at the others, knowing that all of them heard and understood the question. Cursing he bit his lip, rising to his feet, signaling for Yugi to follow. “Venido” (come)

 

Reluctantly Yugi followed, rising from his feet and tagging along behind his brother towards the bathroom nearby. Stepping in he heard his brother closing the door, turning to him he crossed his arms, “Yami, qué sucedió.” (Yami, what happened?)

 

Heaving a sigh Yami sat down upon the edge of the bathtub, his eyes locked upon the tile floor, his expression blank and his eyes clouded. How was he going to word this without frightening the young boy, blinking he covered his face with his hands, “Salatis, he came back.”

 

Yugi took a step backwards, his back hitting the door as he did so, “I thought he left with Lucien,” he murmured, fear laced in his voice and expression.

 

Grunting Yami uncovered his face, still refusing to look directly at his brother, “So did I, until I found out the hard way that he is a suspect in the investigation that I am doing at the moment.”

 

“What did he do to you?” Yugi questioned, moving forward and kneeling before his brother, tiny hands covering Yami's knees. “He put those marks there didn't he?”

 

Giving a curt nod Yami lifted his gaze to meet with Yugi's, reaching out he cupped the boy's face with his hands, tenderly caressing the soft skin there. “He attacked me in the interrogation room. Afterwards, I went to the home of the victim, Seto Kaiba. I told him the reasoning for his mother's death, at least the reason that we have gathered from the two suspects, and he lost it.

 

“He as well pinned me, not roughly but enough I suppose to alarm me. I relapsed Yugi, I had an anxiety attack last night because of the two combined incidences. Gods I feel like a fool,” he murmured, tearing his gaze and hands away from his brother, now too ashamed to look at him.

 

Sitting back Yugi stared at his brother in disbelief. One entire year, one year of nothing but heaven, and then this. Biting the corner of his lip he felt tears well in his eyes, he had believed that everything was alright, that nothing more was going to happen. Apparently, he had been wrong, they all had been wrong.

 

Heaving in a shaky breath he caught the glimmer of tears in Yami's eyes, gritting his teeth he moved forwards cupping his brothers face in the same fashion that Yami had been doing to him moments ago, “It'll be alright Yami,” he assured, dark violet peering at him with uncertainty. “He won't come back.”

 

“I'm not so sure,” Yami muttered. “Why else would Salatis come back?”

 

Shrugging Yugi surged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Yami's neck, holding him tightly, almost protectively, “I don't know, and honestly Yami, I don't want to know. Just try not to think about it, alright, please bro.”

 

Inhaling sharply Yami gripped his brother tighter, suppressing the tears that threatened to flow down his cheeks, “I'm trying, I swear I am,” he gasped out, squeezing his eyes shut and cursing as a stray cold tear cascaded down his cheek. “But right now, after what happened yesterday, it's becoming damn hard to suppress the memories.”

 

Felling the dampness of the tear meet his shoulder Yugi clenched his fists, he hated seeing Yami like this, broken and crying. It had been so long since he had seen Yami like this that he had almost forgotten it, forgotten what it was like to see the normally stoic and courageous young man break down and sob like an insecure child, wrapping into himself and locking everything in.

 

“I love you Yami,” he murmured, rubbing gentle circles on his brother's back. “We'll get through this, your strong, we can do this.” He felt Yami nod against his shoulder, though his body began to shake in a convulsive rhythm.

 

Heaving a sigh he called out, “Joey, come in here, please I can't do this.”

 

Immediately hurried footsteps reached his ears, glancing back over his shoulder Yugi watched as the door was pushed open and Joey's worried face appeared. The blonde held back an expression of worry and moved forward, encouraging Yugi to leave while he took Yami in his arms, holding him and whispering gently to him trying almost desperately too shove the memories away from his friends head.

 

He could feel Yami shaking again, tears coursing down in rivers from those beautiful violet eyes, small whimpers beginning to escape Yami's lips. In-taking a deep breath Joey shifted and gently laid his friend upon the ground, he had come in too late to stop it from transpiring.

 

The shaking and twitching began to increase as he laid there against the cool tile, holding Yami tightly against him, preventing him from flailing about. He spotted Mai come to the door, her concerned expression fading to one of melancholy as she took on the scene, immediately recognizing it. She move to him instantly, laying upon the other side of Yami, gripping him tightly and helping to hold him still as he fell into another attack.

 

It was less severe than the one the night before, it was more controlled, and both could tell that Yami was still coherent by the whimpers and gasps that emitted from his lips, and his hands frantically gripping Joey's shoulder's.

 

It took several minutes for the shaking ceased and for Yami's nerves to return to normal. Panting heavily in somnolence, chest heaving from the effort to breathe Yami kept his eyes closed, shame forcing him to avoid eye contact with his two friends. Why now, why after all this time did this have to start up again, his mind screamed at him, why now?

 

Joey could sense this as he forced himself into a sitting position, pulling Yami up with him, gripping tightly. Glancing at Mai he signaled with a nod of his head towards the door, silently asking her to leave and eat before the meal went cold.

 

Loosening his grip Joey peered down at Yami's face, deep golden eyes overflowing with concern, “What else happened yesterday Yami, the thing with Seto alone could not have caused this. What happened?”

 

Inhaling Sharply Yami buried his head in Joey's shoulder, further shielding his face, “Salatis, he's back, and he's a suspect in the case,” he chocked out, tears continuing to cascade down his face, dampening his tee-shirt along the collar. “He tried to tell me that Lucien was back, he attacked me in the interrogation room, he's the one who caused the bruises, not Seto.”

 

Fists clenching and jaw locking Joey squeezed his eyes shut, protectiveness flooding through him suddenly like it used to years ago when Lucien had still been around. Tightening his hold on Yami he rocked his friend back and forth, soothing him all the while growling out, “He won't touch you again Yami, not without going through Bakura and I first. Forget it; I'll beat his ass to Hong Kong.”

 

“No Joey!” Yami exclaimed, tightening his hold on Joey's shirt. “He'll kill you and you know it, you have gotten between him and I far too much.”

 

Snarling Joey pulled back, forcing Yami to look at him with a gentle hand under his chin, “I won't let you go through that again. He's messed up with your life enough, and we both know, if he gets a hold of you one more time you may not recover. I don't want that, neither does Bakura, or Mai, or Yugi, or Kalie, or all our other friends.”

 

Yami whimpered, his hands moving up to cover Joey's as they held his chin gently, his vision began to blur as the torrent of tears in his eyes increased, “He's not coming back,” he muttered, his voice desperate. “He's not.”

 

Biting his lip Joey pulled Yami back against him, cradling his friends head against his torso, holding him protectively, “He's not coming back Yami, I'm sorry that I snapped,” he soothed, rubbing Yami's back softly. The sobbing began to subside, being replaced with that familiar voice that he had heard for so many years, relaxing as he let Yami sooth himself.

 

standing on the edge of morning
scent of sex and new found glory
playing as she's pulling back her hair
she drives away
she's feeling worthless
used again but nothing's different
she'd stay the night
but knows he doesn't care

home by three
deafening quiet
the porch light's off
yes they forgot it
she'd cry herself to sleep
but she don't dare
and she wants to be a model
she wants to hear she's beautiful
she's beautiful

I want to save you
I want to save you
I need you
save me too
I want to save you

dressed by dawn and out the door
no light
she memorized the floor
so she could leave without being detected
she works till three
it's uniform
she dreams that he'll come by the store
she prays for days
when boys mean she's protected
and she wants someone to see her
she needs to hear she's beautiful
she's beautiful

I want to save you
I want to save you
I need you
save me too
I want to save you

and she won't sleep
she won't sleep
and she won't sleep
at all

I want to save you
I want to save you
I need you
save me too
I want to save you

1231231231231231232132132321321323232312

 

Giving Yugi and Kalie a gentle embrace he said his good-byes and followed Taita to his SUV parked on the street, the brilliant sunlight gleaming brightly off of its silver exterior. Tossing his bag into the back seat Yami felt Taita grip his shoulder, turning he face his friend, “What is it?”

 

“Are you going to be alright buddy,” Taita questioned, peering into his eyes with concern and affection. “You scared us last night.”

 

Heaving a sigh Yami gripped the door handle to the passenger side, violet eyes drifting to the ground, “I scared myself,” he answered honestly. “But yes, I'll be alright, yesterday I guess my nerves were on overdrive.”

 

Beaming brightly at him Taita patted his shoulder, “Well hopefully today you won't have to deal with that asshole. Jason already threatened to shove a stick where the sun don't shine, I don't want to know what he would do if he touched you again.”

 

Yami chuckled, “Well hopefully next time I don't freeze so that I can kick his ass before any of you even have a chance.”

 

Laughing brightly Taita glanced at the door; spotting Yami's hand there he crocked a brow, “I'm driving?”

 

Nodding Yami opened the door, “I'm still pretty shaky, putting me behind the wheel at the moment until I get my pills in me might be a bad plan,” he expounded before clambering, shutting the door as he went.

 

Moving to the drivers side Taita closed the door and turned on the ignition, “This is just strange, I'm driving your vehicle with you in it with me,” he said shaking his head as the music began to blare, drowning him out in an instant, forcing him to turn the volume down, laughing as he caught Yami with his hands over his ears. “Oh come one, it wasn't that bad, you've had it louder.”

 

Yami narrowed his eyes, cautiously taking his hands away, “Yeah, but when my head feels as if it's gunna split in half then I try and avoid blowing my eardrums out,” he stated, instantly gripping the seat belt as Taita stepped on the gas. Swallowing hard he gripped the armrest, forgetting that Taita was a rather reckless driver. `Alright' he said to himself, `maybe I should have drove'.

 

123123123123123123123123123123123

 

“Protection detail,” said Taita questionly, leaning against the mahogany desk, deep cerulean eyes peering at Gabe quizzically. “Why us, we should be working on the case.”

 

Yami nodded with agreement, crossing his arms as he sat stiffly in one of the chairs in the office, “Are they trying to make us give this over to Kent's team.”

 

Shrugging Gabe rose to his feet, taking the open case file with him as he moved towards the door, “Possibly, I don't know, but they do not believe that just having police offices guarding those two will being enough, they want our best watching them on top of that. So you were chosen because both of you passed the course with top marks. It's not my choice, trust me if I had been allowed to chose I would have picked the two ex S.W.A.T. members to watch them.

 

“But,” he continued, signaling for the two to follow him, opened the door and moved out into the hallway, locking the door once the two CSI's had followed him. “I can't make these decisions, my boss does. I am just a head supervisor remember, I boss you around, he bosses me around. Now Yami you are on nightshift and Taita has days.”

 

Moving down the hallway Yami shoved his hands into his pockets, staring up at Gabe with a placid expression, “Are we allowed working on the case at all?”

 

Nodding his head Gabe reached for the door leading into the morgue, “Yes you are, though you are not allowed to let any relationships that you might develop with the two interfere. Mr. Kaiba is not out of the clear yet, he could be running the show.”

 

Exchanging glances Taita and Yami shook their heads in agreement, they both knew without a shadow of a doubt that Seto was not involved. At the moment they had no proof of that, but their guts were telling them that along with their instincts. And sometimes, instincts was better then science.

 

Gabe turned to the two of them, his face grave, “I want both of you to watch yourselves. We do not know exactly who it is that they are going after, but we do know that it is one of the three of us. Watch your own backs, and be careful.”

 

“We will Gabe,” said Taita teasingly, patting his friends shoulder playfully. “You are worse then my mother.”

 

Scowling Gabe shoved the door open, pointing a finger at the young CSI, “Don't push it bucko, now go start your shift, get out of my hair you rotten wiper snapper,” he chuckled; shaking his head at Taita briefly stuck his tongue out at him before moving to the exit.

 

Once Taita had left Gabe turned to Yami, smiling warmly at him before ushering him into the morgue. Yami turned to him, watching as the door was closed before he lifted questioning violet eyes to his boss. Gabe moved over to him, gently urging him into a chair before kneeling in front of him. Catching on Yami averted his gaze; he did not want to talk about this right now.

 

“Are you alright, I heard about what happened yesterday,” Gabe questioned.

 

Nodding Yami crossed his arms, “Yes, I'm fine,” he said curtly.

 

Heaving a sigh Gabe rested his arms on his knees, peering up into those cold violet eyes that he had grown to adore over the last six years. He grunted, shaking his head, “I should have taken Salatis, you shouldn't have been in the same room as him.”

 

Redirecting his attention to the former cop that had saved him from Lucien's wrath years ago, “I'm not blaming you Gabe,” he assured, his voice soft. “Don't put the blame on your shoulders, it was nothing, he just bruised me, nothing more.”

 

“And he tried to get into your head,” Gabe snapped, retrieving a chair and moving to sit upon it, the floor becoming rapidly uncomfortable. “I had someone tail him home, there was someone else in that house with him, they have pictures of the man Yami.” With that he reached into his pocket, fishing the pictures out and revealing them to the young man.

 

Reaching out Yami tentatively took the stack of photos from Gabe, peering down at them he inhaled sharply. He recognized that body shape, the face, everything. Shaking furiously he dropped the photos, staring at where they had been in utter shock and disbelief, his mind screaming in a mantra `HE'S NOT COMING BACK!'

 

Taking hold of Yami's hands Gabe squeezed them comfortingly, “They tailed him as well and watched him board a plane. Hopefully he is going away for good and that Salatis was just messing with your head. But if not, be careful Yami, I don't want him getting a hold of you again. You don't deserve what he put you through.”

 

Nodding furiously Yami rose to his feet, brushing past Gabe he dashed to the door, flinging it open and barreling across the hall to his office, slamming the door shut and locking it as he went.

 

Gabe watched this sadly, tears coming to his eyes, “God protect him.”

 

123123123123123123123123123123123123

 

Yami spent a good portion of that afternoon trapped within his office pouring over the case file, trying to think of anything that they might of missed or did not think of. Coming up empty he went to the forensics lab retrieving the comparison tests trying to match Ivan to any of the samples taken from the Kaiba manor. He came up empty.

 

The finger prints from Kaiba Corp came in as well, taking the short list of about ten names he check their history and where they worked. Five of the ten names were of people that worked for Zamora Corp.

 

Ivan Mittowski
Salatis Hanata
Hermanio Quiero

Juan el Cicaque

Kent Lethbridge

All of them held some sort of record, two had once belonged to Propios del Diablo, and the last one was Kent. His question though was, why was Salatis and Kent at Kaiba Corporation, in Azucena's office to be exact.

 

Taking this information he went and found Elijah and Jason in the lounge pouring over a football game, screaming as he came in. He placed the case file in front of them, gaining their attention and explaining everything that he had deciphered. They decided to one, pay Kent a visit, and two, go check the Stiht residence.

 

Checking his watch Yami scowled, “I have to go, it's Bakura's birthday and we are going out for supper, I'll see you guys later.”

 

“Hey,” Jason called, waving at him. “Have fun on protection duty.”

 

Scowling Yami playfully shook a fist at him before vacating the building. Pulling out his keys from his pocket he opened the door to the SUV and moved in, closing the door and turning the vehicle on. Cringing at the volume of the music he turned it down, sighing deeply before he pulled out of the parking lot, instantly mingling with the light afternoon traffic in downtown Miami.

 

He needed to pick up Mai, Bakura, and Joey from the studio before he would be able to go home and freshen up. Rolling down the window he allowed the fresh cool air to swirl through the vehicle, feeling his headache lessening he blared the music, laughing to himself at a humorous line in the song.

 

The fresh smell of the ocean soon invaded his senses as he turned onto Biscayne Boulevard, rapidly driving past Bicentennial Park, the clear blue of the ocean just beyond it to his left. He peered at it absently as he drove along the long street, soon finding that the park had disappeared and was replaced with long stretches of white sandy beach. It was filled with people laughing and playing in the water.

 

He needed to do that this weekend, take Yugi and Kalie to the beach; he needed something to distract them.

 

Turning by the Bay Harbor Islands he droved down the street, spotting a building consisting mostly of glass and concrete he switched in his signal light and moved into the parking lot. Finding a slot instantly he turned it, switched off the ignition and clambered out, closing the door as he went.

 

Moving to the front door of the vast building he pulled the front doors open and moved in, giving a pleasant hello to the young woman at the front desk before he made his way up a set of stairs towards the second floor. He knew his way around this place better than his own work sometimes. Saying curt hellos to various people he smiled brightly, shaking his head as he knocked upon a nearby door and entered.

 

“Joey is taking forever,” growled a young man sitting behind the desk peering up at Mai with impatience, his long snowy white hair pulled back tightly into a ponytail.

 

“Doesn't he always take forever Bakura,” Yami chuckled, gaining their attention.

 

Dark chocolate eyes locked with his own, the owner smiling brightly and bounding from his chair wrapped an arm around his neck and began to mercilessly ruffle his hair, “Took you long enough,” Bakura teased.

 

“Hey, I had to work too birthday boy,” Yami protested, wriggling away from his friend and peering at him with a crocked brow.

 

Mai shook her head, “I'll go get Joey,” she laughed, before vacating the room, closing the door behind her.

 

Sticking his tongue at her back Bakura moved to start gathering his things, removing his suit jacket and tie as he did so. Shoving the said things into a duffle bag he glanced up at Yami, scanning his form over before continuing to shove things into his bag, “Joey told me what happened,” he stated.

 

Glancing up at him Yami leaned against the door, “And.”

 

Moving to the door, duffle bag in hand, Bakura peered at his friend, “And,” Bakura said sternly. “I'm staying with you, at the house at least. Joey got me to move in for a while.”

 

“What,” Yami snapped, moving away from the door. “I can take care of myself Bakura, you know that.”

 

“Not against him you can't,” Bakura hissed, gripping Yami's shoulder with his free hand. “You know it, you'd freeze up if he showed his barbaric face again. I'm staying Yami, plain and simple.”

 

Shaking his head Yami gripped the door handle, pulling it open, “I think all of you are over reacting,” he snapped. “It was just a one time thing Bakura, I am not going into a room alone with Salatis again. Besides, we don't even know if Lucien has come back.”

 

“You do,” Bakura stated, Yami narrowed his eyes, shaking his head Bakura pointed at the said violet orbs. “Your eyes give it away. You know where he is don't you.”

 

Cringing Yami averted his head so that he was facing Bakura, “I have an idea,” he stated.

 

“Where is he then,” Bakura pressed as they moved down the stairs.

 

“On a plane, that's all I know,” Yami said, rubbing his neck nervously. “Where to I have no idea.”

 

“And you have no idea if he is coming back.”

 

“No.”

 

Bakura grunted, pushing the front doors open, “Exactly, I'm staying with you.”

 

Rolling his eyes Yami strode to his vehicle, unlocking it and allowing Bakura in, “Whatever,” he snapped. “Happy Birthday by the way.”

 

Heaving a sigh Bakura reached across and wrapped an arm around his friends shoulders, “Thanks buddy, and sorry about all but, we just want to keep you safe.”

 

“I know,” Yami murmured, smiling warmly at his friend. “Sorry I snapped.”

 

Bakura shrugged, “Hey I snapped too, no worries.”

 

Immediately the back two doors opened as Joey and Mai moved into the back seats, strapping their seat belts on as they went. Checking that everyone was buckled in Yami turned on the vehicle and drove out of the parking lot, heading to the school to pick up Yugi and Kalie.

 

Stopping in front of the immense school Yami clambered out, scanning the grounds as he closed the door. Spotting both of his siblings Yami moved across the lush green grass towards the two. Reaching Yugi first he ruffle the boy's hair, gaining his attention and causing his circle of friends to laugh and greet him enthusiastically as Yugi re-arranged his hair.

 

Instructing Yugi to head to the car Yami moved to Kalie, a few of her friends noticed him right away, waving at him and smiling. Waving back Yami glanced at his sister, crocking a brow and gaining a roar of laughter from those that noticed him. Kalie was being held from behind by a tall, brawny young man with baggy jeans that hung down to nearly his knees, and a bandana covering his short honey coloured hair.

 

Signaling the guy's pants Yami made a signal to those that were looking silently asking permission for what he wanted to do. They nodded at him, laughing as the watched him go up behind the guy, grab a loop hole on his pants, and yank them down.

 

Immediately both the guy and Kalie turned to him, Kalie with a shocked expression upon her face, mouth agape, while the guy cursed loudly scrambling to pull his pants back up. Crocking a brow at the vulgarity from the guy Yami glanced at Kalie, “He better not be that Ulrick kid you were telling me about.”

 

“Its Sparky asshole,” snapped the guy, tightening his pants.

 

Crocking a brow Yami glanced back at Kalie, “He definitely better not be him.”

 

Scowling Kalie crossed her arms, “What are you doing here,” she asked sharply, her normal personality being replaced with another, obviously she was trying to impress someone.

 

Yami noticed this, impatiently tapping his watch, “I take it that you forgot what day is,” he grunted. “Dinner, remember.”

 

“No,” she chided. “I don't remember, and honestly I don't care.”

 

Narrowing his eyes Yami glanced back at Sparky as he tried to adjust his pants, “You better not be acting like this because of him,” he snapped.

 

“No,” she growled, her eyes shifting nervously as her friends behind her began to speak quickly in undertones, her name being mentioned.

 

He snarled, “Bullshit Kalie, drop this façade and get to the vehicle,” she bit her lip, visibly wincing at the tone in her brothers voice. Turning she grabbed her backpack and moved towards the vehicle, her head bowed.

 

Rounding on `Sparky' Yami crossed his arms, violet eyes darkening, ignoring the whispering voices of Kalie's friends he snapped, “You better damn well home that I don't catch you holding my sister with an illegal fire arm again.”

 

Sparky grunted, moving so that he was peering down at Yami, trying to use his height to intimated the smaller male, “What illegal fire arm asshole, I ain't got nothing on me,” he challenged.

 

In an instant Yami's hand snapped out, reaching down into on of the baggy pockets on the thugs pants and wrenching out the weapon. Silver reflecting in the sunlight and flashing brilliant light into the eyes of the onlookers. Yami peered at it for a moment before glancing up at Sparky, “No weapon huh,” he snapped. “I'll let this one slide, but next time, you'll be taking a ride with me back to the station.”

 

“Fuck that,” scoffed Sparky, shoving Yami's shoulders, surprised when the young smaller male barely moved an inch. “I can do what ever the fuck I want, and you can't do shit about it, got that.”

 

Again Yami had him stunned, spinning him around, tripping him forcefully and tossing him to the ground, kneeling upon his back the instant that he hit the ground, CSI badge flashing in the thugs face, “Actually, puppy, I can do something about it. Now go back to your house puppy, and allow your master to lay a whooping on your fat ass before I do it myself,” Yami hissed rising to his feet.

 

Not waiting to watch Sparky regain his composure Yami strode away, waving a brief good-bye to Kalie's friends before he clambered into the SUV.

Closing the door Yami quickly buckled his seat belt before glancing back at Kalie, turning his body so that he could face her. She seemed to know that it was coming, ice blue eyes averting to her knees. He sighed, softening his gaze and ignoring the others briefly reached back to her, gripping one of her hands.

"Is he worth it," Yami questioned, squeezing her hand forcing her to look at him. "Is he worth changing for."

Shrugging Kalie lowered her eyes again, "I don't know," she muttered, avoiding him as best as she could, hiding her shame.

He smiled softly, caressing the back of her hand, "Yes you do Kalie, what have i taught you," he said, voice gentle.

"To never change for anyone, and to be yourself," she stated, ice blue eyes lifting to his. "But he is different Yami, I don't think that I had a choice really, if I said no he might have hurt me, or even Yugi."

Hearing the panic in her tone, and the frightened gleam in her eyes he shifted, removing his seatbelt so that he could reach back and cup her face with his hand, "What did he say to you," he demanded.

"Well," she started. "For one when he asked me, he had me kinda cornered by his friends. Then he told me if i left him that he would get his boss to hurt Yugi or I."

Snarling Yami sat back, eyes darkening in fury, "He better not damn well touch either of you. If he says one more thing like that to you Kalie, come tell me immediately. I won't let anyone touch you like that, you don't deserve it."

Feeling a restraining hand grip his shoulder Yami glanced sideways at Bakura, giving him a curt nod of thanks before turning back to his two siblings, "That goes with you too Yugi, if he even comes near you, come tell me."

Nodding Yugi gripped his backpack to his torso, innocent eyes blinking back at him, "I will," he assured.

Heaving a sigh of relief Yami shifted, sitting properly in his seat. Closing his eyes he absently ran his fingers through his hair, parting his golden bangs and forcing the damp strands away from his flesh. Bakura's hand was still upon his shoulder, caressing it gently with his thumb in a comforting and knowing matter. The white haired male glanced back at Joey and Mai, each nodding in silent agreement, they would be watching their friend closely for the next few days.

Regaining his composure Yami flared the ignition, glancing briefly out the window towards Sparky he scowled, why did he have the feeling that Sparky was not after his siblings. Shaking his head he pulled out of the parking lot, pushing the thought out of his mind as he drove towards their home in Miami Shores.

Adjusting the steering wheel he pulled up the driveway of a large comfortable Victorian styled home, with sleek white siding and glistening black trim and shingles. It was an immense home, yes, but not as large as the Manor that they had grown up in not more than a few blocks away. Balconies jutted out from many of the windows on the second floor, while the patio on the front was shaded with tall palm and aspen trees.

He stared at the home for a moment before clambering out, following his friends inside and moving towards his bedroom. For some reason every time he peered at this house he felt at peace, he believed that it was because he knew that 'He' would not be welcoming him home.

Quickly showering and divesting his work attire for that of a pair of sleek black leather pants and a silk button up dress shirt, he moved downstairs, coughing as Joey suddenly sprayed cologne in his directing. Grunting he gave his friend a playful tap over the head and a glare before he retrieved his leather coat from the closet. Confirming that everyone was ready he led the way back to the SUV, waiting for everyone to buckle up before he drove off to the restaurant, watching the clock as he did so.

He had just over an hour before he had to start his first shift of protection detail at the Kaiba Manor. And at the moment, he was not sure whether he felt excited, or frightened. The two emotions could sometimes be so similar that he could not decipher the difference between them when it came to himself. Pushing that thought out of his mind he concentrated on driving, all the while laughing as Kalie and Yugi broke out in the birthday song.

A/N: If you all haven't noticed.....I HAVE BECOME ADDICTED TO THIS FIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol, its my new fav, and i'm kinda stuck on the other ones. If there is any one of you that is reading A Past to Be Forgotten, I am planning it out so that is why it is taking me so long to get a chappie up. And Innocent Dark and Living Dead, just stuck on how to write what i want to happen, and i've been busy. So i apologize *bows low* please forgive me for my lateness.