Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Dead End Street ❯ Chapter6 ( Chapter 7 )

Dead End Street

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! DUH! If we did, the show wouldn't be fit for kids, that's for sure!

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, what are you doing here? Haven't you figured out by now that all our writing contains this stuff?

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Seto's thoughts

~*~*~*~*~

YD: This chapter came together a lot quicker than the ones previous.

DD: And for those of you who have been asking, we're getting right to working the next chapter or Family By Choice.

Joey: I'd better be okay.

YD: *pets Joey's head* Maybe…maybe not.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi burst through the door of the game shop, harsh breaths tearing his lungs and tears obscuring his vision.

"Aibou!" Yami jumped from his seat behind the counter where he had been talking with Bakura and ran to his light.

Yugi collapsed against his other half, fighting to calm his breathing enough to talk. "Joey…"

"Where is he?!" Bakura demanded, feeling a spike of fear.

Yami noticed the rapidly forming bruise on Yugi's cheek. "You're hurt!"

Yugi brushed off Yami's hands, turning to Bakura, still gasping for breath. "The…alley…between the bookstore and the…café. Some…someone jumped us. He's…Bakura…he's got Joey!"

Bakura was already gone.

He pounded up the street, people scrambling to get out of his way. The alley was only three blocks away from the game shop and it only took his seconds to get there.

He was just skidding to a halt in the mouth of the alleyway when he heard Joey scream his name. He bolted into the dimly lit passage with a vicious snarl that echoed, bouncing from the tall brick buildings and alerting Joey's attacker to his presence.

Movement caught Bakura's eye and he could just make out Joey and the man who was assaulting him. The attacker raised his arm and Bakura saw the dull glint of a blade. Joey screamed for Bakura again, seeing him outlined in the glow of the streetlamps behind him.

The man's head snapped up and he jumped up, running down the alley.

Bakura ran to Joey, suddenly realizing how loving someone limited your choices. He should have gone after the son of a bitch and killed him slowly and painfully, but the sight of Joey, lying bleeding and shaking on the dirty ground, stopped him in his tracks.

"Ana sabi." Bakura dropped to his knees and gathered his lover into his arms, even as he silently cursed himself for not bringing the Pharaoh with him for backup. "Shh…I'm here."

"B-Bakura…oh, gods…" Joey clung to the white hair yami, sobbing. "He…he…"

"He's gone." Bakura ran his hands gently over the blond's cut littered body. "We need to get you out of here. We have to take care of these wounds."

"No! Don't let go of me!" Joey's grip tightened.

"Hush, love." Bakura struggled to his feet, Joey clinging to him. "It's okay. I won't let go."

He drew the halves of Joey's shirt together, clenching them in his fist as he led the blond from the alley. They received some very odd looks as they made their way back to the game shop from the people they passed, but the look on Bakura's face was enough to keep anyone from approaching them.

They met Yami about a half a block from the game shop.

"Joey!" Yami reached out to him. "Are you alright?!"

Joey didn't answer, clutching onto Bakura.

"Idiot Pharaoh." Bakura growled. "Does he LOOK alright?!"

Yami chose to ignore him, moving to Joey's other side and shouldering up under his arm, taking some of his weight off Bakura.

Once they reached the game shop, Yami led them upstairs and into the living room. Yugi was sitting on the couch with his grandfather, an ice pack against his cheek.

"Joey!" Yugi jumped up and ran to his friend.

"Easy, little guy." Bakura said, stopping the diminutive hikari from throwing his arms around the blond.

"Joey," Solomon stood up. "What happened?"

"Don't know." Joey shook his head.

Yugi's grandfather raised an eyebrow. "Bakura, there's peroxide in the bathroom."

Without another word, Bakura led Joey into the bathroom, shutting the door. Joey still wouldn't let go of him.

"Joey, I need you to sit down." Bakura spoke in calming tones. "Let me take a look, okay?"

Joey bit his lip and sat down on the edge of the tub. Bakura gently removed the ruined shirt, a curse slipping from him when he saw his lover's body.

The cuts weren't deep, but there were a lot of them. He turned away, opening the medicine cabinet and removing the bottle of peroxide and some cotton balls. Soaking one in the clear liquid, he turned back to Joey, kneeling in front of him.

"I'm sorry if this hurts, ana sabi." Bakura said, stroking the wet cotton across Joey's chest.

Joey whimpered softly and reached for the other's free hand, squeezing. "Bakura…he…he was going to…he tried to…he said…"

"It's okay."

"No. You…you don't understand. He…he said he was…" Joey shuddered hard. "He said he was going to…"play" with me. And…and I couldn't stop him! Bakura…I couldn't stop him!"

Bakura dropped the cotton ball and wrapped his arms around the shaking blond. "You're safe now, ana sabi. He can't hurt you."

"I was so scared." Joey whispered into the soft, white hair. "I thought for sure he was going to…" He trailed off, unable to go on.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." Bakura said, equally quiet, feeling angry with himself.

Joey shook his head. "My stomach hurts."

Bakura untangled himself and stood, drawing Joey to his feet. He opened the blond's pants, parting the material to take a look at the thin cuts there.

Joey looked down and, seeing them, the blood drained from his face. "Oh, gods."

~*~*~*~*~

"So it wasn't my imagination." Ryou said, a huge smile on his face.

"What?" Kendra tucked her legs under herself, smiling at Mokuba as he handed her a glass of juice.

"Last night…you were pressed up against my back and I thought I felt the baby kick me."

"That's so cool." Mokuba sat down in his usual spot on the floor next to the couch.

They were all sitting in the downstairs den, talking about their day. They had all already congratulated Mokuba on his team's victory, the younger Kaiba having led in scoring. Kendra had made a huge fuss over him, just to see him blush. She seemed to have a fondness for making the Kaiba brothers go red in the face.

"Joey called just before you guys got home." Tristan said. "He finally found an apartment. It's not in a very good section of town, but he can afford it. Especially once his father stops taking half his paycheck."

"With Bakura around, I don't think they have to worry about the neighbors." Seto commented.

Ryou snickered. "Really though. I know he'll be glad to see Joey move out of…"

"Ryou?" Kendra reached for her boyfriend's hand as he gasped suddenly, his eyes going unfocused.

Tears filled Ryou's eyes. "Oh, gods…Joey…"

"What's wrong?!" Tristan demanded.

"Joey…he…" Ryou buried his face in his hands. "He was attacked. They're at Yugi's."

Tristan jumped to his feet. "Is he okay?"

"I…guess. Bakura said he was hurt." Ryou stood and drew Kendra up. "He wants us there."

Seto looked at his brother, but Mokuba spoke up first. "I'm coming with you."

"Mokuba…"

"Joey's my friend too, Seto."

"Let him come, amante." Tristan said. "We don't have time for you to try to out-stubborn him."

"Fine." Seto reluctantly agreed. He stood and went to the phone, calling a driver to take them to the game shop. "Let's go."

~*~*~*~*~

Solomon met them at the front door to the game shop. He didn't say anything, only stepped back and let them enter, locking the door behind them and then leading them upstairs.

In the living room, Joey sat with Bakura on the couch, so close he was practically underneath the white haired yami. Yugi and Yami sat together in a chair, identical worried looks on their faces.

Kendra and Ryou went directly to Joey, sitting side by side next to the blond, Kendra reaching for his hand. Seto and Tristan sat on the opposite couch with Mokuba sitting on Seto's lap and Tristan opened his mouth to speak.

"I'll be downstairs if you need me." Solomon said, quickly exiting the room, wanting to give them their privacy. He knew from experience that nothing would be discussed while he was there. Yugi would let him know what was going on later.

Tristan met Joey's haunted eyes. "Joey?"

"I…" Amber orbs filled with tears. The blond still wasn't able to string together a coherent sentence.

"Joey and I cut through an alley on the way home." Yugi took the burden from his friend. "We were jumped by this guy. He…hit me and he must have knocked me out. When I came to, he had Joey on the ground. I…I couldn't help him. So I ran back here."

Yami's arms tightened around his lover as the smaller one began to cry. "Hush, Aibou. You did the right thing."

"When I got there," Bakura picked up the story. "He was getting ready to stab Joey. He saw me and ran. I couldn't go after him and leave Joey there, so I let him go." Self-loathing colored Bakura's voice.

"Did you get a good look at him?" Seto asked.

Joey shook his head. "No."

"It was too dark." Bakura said, stroking Joey's hair as the blond laid his head on his shoulder.

"Have you called the police?" Kendra asked the obvious question.

"We thought it wouldn't be wise." Yami said.

Tristan looked at the spirit of the Puzzle, confused. "Why the hell not? We can let this guy get away with what he did."

"Show him, ana sabi." Bakura said quietly.

"No. Bakura…please…" Joey clung to his boyfriend.

"He needs to know." Bakura argued. "He HAS to know."

Joey whimpered, burying his face in Bakura's hair. "I…I don't want to."

"I have to know what?" Tristan felt a sense of foreboding.

"Do it, Joey." Yami said quietly.

Joey let go of Bakura reluctantly and stood. Biting his lip, he lifted the too small tee shirt he was wearing…obviously Yami's…and pulled down the waistband of his jeans.

Shocked silence reigned as everyone saw the two words scratched into the smooth skin of Joey's lower stomach.

FOR BRAD

~*~*~*~*~

"Idiota incompetente! (Incompetent idiot!) You failed!" Tony struck Aaron across the face. "He was supposed to die!"

Pegasus stepped between the two men before Aaron could retaliate. "Now, Tony, Aaron did his best."

"Not good enough!" Tony growled. "Bakura should be feeling the pain of losing the one he loves the most! He should be feeling what I've been going through since he killed Brad!"

"Aaron," Pegasus turned to him. "Go. I will speak to you later."

"I'm sorry." Aaron hung his head. "I wanted to make you proud of me."

"It's alright, my boy." Pegasus caressed the other man's hair. "I am not disappointed in you. You did well."

Aaron lifted his head, his eyes filled with adoration. "Thank you, master."

"Go now."

Tony scowled as he watched the interaction between his lover and the other man. Tony was getting the distinct impression that there was more to their relationship than mere employer/employee rapport.

As the door shut, Pegasus turned back to Tony. "That was unnecessary, striking him like that."

"You seem overly concerned." Tony retorted, eyes narrowed.

"I know what you're thinking, my love, and you're wrong."

"Oh, really?"

Pegasus laughed, gesturing airily. "Yes. Aaron fancies himself in love with me. I let him keep believing I return the sentiment. It makes him so much more…shall we say…amiable."

Tony raised an eyebrow, unsure of whether or not to believe the silver haired man. It didn't matter though. Pegasus was his ticket to revenge on Bakura.

His hands clenched into fists. Bakura. He took away the man Tony loved and he needed to pay.

"Come now, Tony-boy." Pegasus went and put his arms around the younger man. "So Joey is still alive. That doesn't mean Aaron failed. Quite the contrary. It could work to our advantage."

"How so?" Tony stood stiffly in Pegasus' embrace.

"He left a…calling card, so to speak." Pegasus smiled. "A clear message to them all from your Brad."

Pegasus went on to explain to the other man just what Aaron had done, a devilish smile on his face.

Tony's eyes widened and suddenly he yanked Pegasus against him and kissed him deeply. When it was over, he ran his fingers through the silky locks that fell around the other's shoulders.

"Max," He leaned in and kissed him softly again. "I've said it before and I'll say it again…you are SO devious. La madre di Dio! Lei sono cosí perfeziona! (Mother of God! You are so perfect!) I'm glad you're on my side."

"Come, my love." Pegasus untangled himself from Toney and led him toward the bedroom. "Let me show you just how perfect I am."

~*~*~*~*~

Someone was calling him.

His vision had narrowed on the few square inches of injured flesh exposed between the hem of Joey's shirt and the edge of his jeans. Those two words robbed him of all rational thought and detached him from his surroundings.

"Tristan! Baby! Talk to me!"

"Tristan, come on. Come back to us. Please."

"Damn it, Tristan! Snap out of it!"

Someone shook him, breaking him from his daze. His eyes focused of Yami, looming over him, his hand drawn back to strike him. He threw his arms up, shrinking back with a whimper.

"Yami! No!" Seto pulled Tristan against him protectively.

Bakura grabbed the former pharaoh. "Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

"Sweet Isis…Tristan…" Yami dropped his hand, realizing what he had been about to do. "I'm sorry."

"Everyone just back off." Seto said, tightening his grip on Tristan.

Everyone resumed their seats, save Mokuba, who was kneeling on the floor in front of Tristan, his hands on the brunet's knees. "Tristan? Are you okay?"

Tristan shook his head, unable to speak, and withdrew further into Seto's embrace. Seto held him, ignoring everyone else, talking quietly to his husband, trying to calm him. It took several minutes for Tristan to react to the soft voice, and he finally stopped shaking so hard. He was still trembling, however, and he didn't seem to be aware of where he was.

"Amante…it's supposed to be over." Tristan whispered. "He's dead. It's supposed to be over. It's been a year. He's dead. Gods…I thought it was over. Why?"

Mokuba looked up at his brother-in-law with huge eyes. Tristan was scaring him. He didn't seem quite there, like he was lost somewhere in his own mind. His gaze went to his brother. Seto wasn't paying any attention to him or the others. His entire awareness was focused on the man in his arms.

"Tristan?" Kendra finally ventured. "It's going to be okay. We'll call the police and they'll find who did this."

"We can't." Yami said. "There's too good a chance they'll trace…" He paused, not wanting to say his name. "HIS death to Bakura. They may also discover his connection with Tristan. We can't chance that."

Tristan pulled from Seto's arms suddenly and rose, stepping around Mokuba and going over to Joey. He sank to his knees in front of the blond, laying his head in his friend's lap and clutching his legs.

"Joey…I'm so sorry." He said, his voice full of tears. "This is all my fault."

Joey bit his lip, reaching out slowly to stroke the back of Tristan's head. "No…it's not. You couldn't have known, bud."

"It's my fault."

Seto stood up, going to Tristan and drawing him to his feet. "Let's go home, love. Joey, I'd like you and Bakura to come with us."

Bakura met Seto's eyes and nodded. He didn't want Joey going home tonight. He would be safe at Seto's. Once his lover was asleep, he was going to go find the person who did this and kill him as he should have done the second he laid eyes on him.

Seto saw the look on the pale thief's face and nodded minutely. He would send John with Bakura for backup. His bodyguard would see to it that nothing happened to Bakura.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto saw Mokuba settled and said goodnight to Kendra and Ryou before going to look for Tristan.

He found him with Joey and Bakura in his den, sitting close to his friend, holding his hand. Joey was looking a little dazed due to the painkillers Seto had given him as soon as they had arrived back at the mansion.

"Tristan," Seto stood in front of the other brunet and held out his hand. "Come to bed. It's late."

"Go on, Tristan." Bakura said before he could argue. "I'll take care of Joey."

"It's okay, Tris." Joey assured him. "I'll be fine. I just want to sleep."

"O-Okay." Tristan squeezed Joey hand before standing and taking Seto's hand. He let Seto lead him from the room, exiting ahead of his husband.

Seto turned at the doorway. "John will be waiting for you when you're ready, Bakura."

Bakura pulled Joey into his arms, resting his chin on the top of his lover's head and returned Seto's look with one of complete understanding.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan had hardly spoken a half a dozen words since they arrived home. Now he lay in Seto's arms, his face buried in the other's neck, clinging to his husband as if he were an anchor.

And he was. And anchor for Tristan's sanity.

Seto didn't say a word, just gently rubbed his back. What was he supposed to say? There were no words to console Tristan, to help him deal with what he was feeling right now. All he could do was hold him and hope his presence brought some comfort.

He knew Bakura would search for the man that had attacked Joey. But he was almost certain he wouldn't find him. The assault was too precise, too calculated to have been executed an amateur. Seto shuddered to think what would have happened to the blond if Bakura hadn't shown up when he did.

"Why?" Tristan finally whispered, his voice ragged.

Seto kissed the top of his head. "I don't know, love."

"Don't let go."

"I won't."

"I love you."

"I love you too, baby."

"I'm scared."

"You don't have to be. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to you."

"It feels like…like he's come back from the grave."

"He hasn't. He can't."

"Why can't it be over?"

Seto didn't have a reply. He just held Tristan tighter as the shorter man began to cry.

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura carefully untangled himself from Joey and slid from the bed.

The blond seemed to be over the initial shock of what had happened, and his fear had turned to anger…at his attacker for the incident, and at himself for not fighting back. So in typical Joey fashion, he swore that "if that coward comes near me again, I'm gonna kick his ass!".

Bakura didn't try to dissuade him, just let him ramble on until the painkillers took full effect and Joey fell asleep, still mumbling about the revenge he was going to take on his assailant.

"Sleep well, ana sabi." Bakura leaned down and gently kissed his lover. "I love you."

He slipped from the room and made his way silently out of the mansion. John was waiting for him, leaning against his car, his eyes cold. Without comment, he got in and waited for Bakura to join him.

Bakura looked up at the second floor of the mansion, at the window to the room where Joey lay sleeping. He vowed to himself that he would find who did this. And that person would pay…with their life.

~*~*~*~*~

Dawn was breaking when Bakura let himself back inside, stopping at the foot of the stairs, seeing Seto standing at the top. With a sigh, he climbed the staircase, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion.

"Nothing?" Seto asked quietly.

Bakura shook his head. "Not a trace."

Seto ran a hand through his tangled hair. "I checked on Joey. I don't think he moved all night."

"You don't look like you slept." Bakura said, noticing the dark circles under the other's eyes.

"Tristan had some pretty bad nightmares." Seto shook his head. "He's been having them for about a week now, but last night was the worst."

"I can understand why."

Seto reached out and squeezed Bakura's shoulder. "Go get some sleep. I have to get back to Tristan. I don't want him waking up and finding me gone."

Bakura just nodded, turning away and heading down the hallway.

Seto watched him go, his feelings of aggravation and helplessness matching those of the spirit of the Ring. He didn't know what to do. They couldn't be too obvious in their search for Joey's attacker. That would only attract unwanted attention.

A growl of frustration rose in his throat as he spun on his heel and headed back to his bedroom.

If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was feeling powerless. And he was powerless in this situation. As much as the thought scared him, all they could do is wait to see if this person would strike again.

He didn't know where it would come from, or who would be the victim, but he wasn't going to leave Tristan unprotected.

Seto climbed back into bed with Tristan, taking him into his arms. [I can only guess he attacked Joey because he's Tristan's best friend. It was pretty obvious whoever it was wanted to send a clear message to him.] Tristan stirred, moving closer and laying his head on Seto's chest. [Don't worry, baby. I'm not going to let anything happen to you.]

Seto closed his eyes and let sleep take him, hoping that Tristan's nightmares were done for now and that he could get some sleep.

Something told him he was going to need it.

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: Geeze, WHY do you guys keep doing this to me?

DD: Because we love you.

YD: Seto's really on the wrong track. I thought you were suppose to be a genius.

Seto: Bite me.

YD: Can I?

DD: ANYWAY…before these two get into it…please review. We'll have the next chapter up as soon as possible.