Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Gin no Umi o Wataru ❯ Chapter 6

Notes: Hem Netjer means High Priest

SUNDAY- Midnight

He stood on the golden sand, his lightly tinted hair blowing in the desert wind. The tips of his hair lashed and stung his face. His lip curled cruelly. One weathered hand reached down to bury itself in brittle sun bleached blond hair. Tangling itself in the curls, he pulled back, exposing the pale neck. Drops of salt burned their way down the sunburned neck. The sorcerer leaned down and whispered harshly to the slave. "Do you think that your beloved priest will come to save you? Do you think he'd ransom you?"

The slave turned his head and stared at the sorcerer from behind lowered lids then turned to face out towards the desert. A billow of yellow sand appeared along the horizon. A short while later, a blue robed figure stood a short distance from them. They reached up and detached the portion hanging over the face. Seferet stared at them. "Of all the people I didn't expect it to be you. I should have I guess. No one else is mad enough to try this."

The sorcerer stepped closer. "You should behave yourself, Seferet! Or have you forgotten who I have... right here?"

Seferet stared down at his beloved. Jahi, are you well?

Well enough, nothing that plenty of love and rest can't cure, meryt. Can I expect both?

Forever.

Seferet turned from his lover and stared at the last person he ever expected to see. Sighing, he folded his arms defiantly across his chest. "What are you doing here. Our brother exiled you."

"Yes, he did... didn't he? The fool. He should have killed me if he wanted to be rid of me." The sorcerer sneered.

Seferet shook his head. "I voted for your death. The pharaoh loves all his siblings. Doesn't matter who their mother is. He loves us all. Even you. You tried to take over the world, and he still loves you. He's a more forgiving man than I shall ever be. If you let Jahi go now, I'll kill you quickly. And not torment your soul too much."

The young man laughed wickedly, his voice dripping with scorn. "You think you can challenge me?! You're at the disadvantage! Now give me the millennium items or... I will give Jahi's soul to Ammit, Devourer of Souls!"

Seferet stared at him. "You never did learn anything. I am SEFERET! I AM THE HEM NETJER. HIGH PRIEST OF THE UPPER AND LOWER LANDS! I speak for Set, Osiris, and Ra. I have personally... because of you, performed the rites of death too many time. You cannot give Jahi to Ammit. Ammit eats only the souls of the ones who were judged to be evil. There is no evil in my Jahi. As for the items... No, I didn't bring them. Our brother is at this moment hiding them. You tipped your hand, brother. When you sought Adna's death."

Thank you, Sef. I could not bear it if the world was doomed for me, but couldn't you have brought a legion or seven to kill this asshole? I don't care if he is your brother. Jahi rolled his eyes from where he sat on the sand.

Sef's lip curled in a minute smile. "So Nkosi, now what?"

"Now... you pay!" Nkosi twisted his hand in mid air and a bronze curved scythe appeared in his hand. The flash of light caught the scythe's edge. Jahi lunged back, ripping his hair out of Nkosi's hands. The blade flew downward, slicing effortlessly through his stomach.

"NO!" Seferet lunged at Nkosi.

Nkosi laughed. Seferet ran over to them, slipping on the sand, he launched towards his brother. Seferet snarled, reaching back he pulled a short wide knife. Grunting, he placed it against his brother's rib cage. He stared into the clear ice blue eyes of his brother, and shoved the knife up, sliding it between the third and fourth ribs. As the needle thin blade slid into Nkosi's heart, Seto laughed and whispered, "Our mother voted for your death."

Nkosi's eyes widened as he screamed out in pain. Desperately he swung his bronze sword against Seferet's back. Seferet felt the cold bite of the knife in his back. Rolling off Nkosi, he pressed his knife deeper. Sef turned his head looking for Jahi, seeing his lover so very far away, he rolled to his stomach and started to crawl... so slowly. As he moved, he felt the life falling inexorably to the golden sands. He could hear the hiss of the cool blood sizzling under the intense heat of the day. He had to reach his lover.

Jahi coughed up blood and rolled over. He raised his head looking for his meryt. Gulping, he looked around. Seeing Seferet heading towards him, a smile crossed his pale face. Using his fingers, he pulled himself forward. He stared across the sand at his beloved, he knew he had to get to him. Collapsing, he struggled to gather enough strength to crawl again. Fingers tapped nervously in his outstretched palm. Sef.

"J-ja-" Meryt. I'm sor-

I regret nothing. Is the sun setting? I'm cold.

Sef turned his head slightly to look at the sun, ignoring the bits of sand that entered his eye. The sun was only a couple of fingers from high. Sef pulled himself closer. It's time to rest. Rest. I'll be here I'll be here, I will always find your heart mate.

Sleep with me, you're never alone if you're with me. And you look so tired, Sef. Rest.

Ok, let's sleep.

We're dying?

We never really die. We will be reborn and find each other again, I swear it.

I know. Jahi reached out one bloody hands and stroked Sef's cheek. Sleep we-

JAHI! Sef let his head fall...

* * *

Seto opened his eyes and stared at the blue eyed dragon on his ceiling. Closing his eyes, he could see Jahi's life dripping onto the sand. Bolting up, he stared into the darkness of his room. He reached out to turn on the bedside lamp. The small gold chain was jumping and flipping. Seto stared at his hand, shaking. Sighing, he swung his legs over to the side of the bed. Getting up on unsteady legs, he reached for his robe. Clutching it around him, he threw open his door and dashed to Joey's room.

Opening Joey's door, he crept in. The pale moonlight that filtered into his room allowed Seto to see where he was going. Silently he walked over to Joey's bed. Twisted in the sheets, the moonlight glinted off Joey's pale flesh. Seto whimpered as he realized that Joey was naked under the sheets, his eyes raced over the pallid flesh, as shimmering and bright as the moonlit sands in his dreams. Sighing, Seto reached out to lightly play his fingertips over Joey's firm flesh, tracing nonsensical patterns. He ran his fingers of the warm silk of Joey's ankle as it peeked through the sheets, up to the rounded flesh of the upper thigh, Seto's fingers danced up over the knob of wrist, and ghosted through the thin forest of blond hairs that dusted Joey's arm. His fingers roamed up over the thin shoulder, Seto leaned over and blew warm air over the shadowed shoulder. He smiled as Joey twitched. Joey settled down into his sleep. Seto sat back on his heels to watch him.

Silvery light leapt and rolled around the room as the moon did her nightly rounds, clouds passing caused the shadows to flex and shift. Seto lost himself sitting there; he didn't notice the first stirrings of Joey's nightmare. A flash of gold caught Seto's eye, coming back to himself he stared as Joey turned and twisted, the sheet twining around Joey's stomach. The dark red sheet, almost brown. The deep dried color of blood. A vision overlay of burning golden sand, a rich metallic tang of blood, a memory reached out to him. A whisper passed his lips, "No... Sef... Nkosi... watch..."

Biting his lip, he lunged up. As Joey sat up, Seto slipped in beside him. Wrapping one hand over Joey's mouth and the other around his waist, holding Joey's hands to his sides. Joey bucked in his arms. Eyes open, but not seeing, he twisted and fought. From behind Seto's hand, Joey screamed.

"Stop. Calm down, please. Joey. It's me, Seto. Calm down, please. MERYT. Joey. We did it... we found each other."

Slowly Joey relaxed, his eyes showing that he was slowly coming back. With a whine, he slumped against Seto's shoulder. Seto's arm moved from Joey's waist, circling Joey's shoulders. "Shhhh, shhh. It's ok; we found each other, just as I promised you we would. I don't break my promises."

Joey rolled his head, one eye dark with pain, and stared at him. "He... hated you. He cut... you... me."

"I know."

"He... was your..."

"Brother, I know." Seto whispered, one hand massaging the back of Joey's neck. "I and he had the same mother. We also had a sister, Adna. She was so beautiful. Black hair with the darkest blue eyes. So they named her for the night sky. When I was younger, I'd dream of her and Nkosi. When I got older, and Mokuba was born, Nkosi hated it, he didn't like me spending so much time with him. It got so bad and he was so jealous, that I had to ask Nkosi to leave. Then... my parents' died, I had to concentrate on Mokuba. So I asked Adna to leave, she understood. I haven't thought about her in years."

Joey laughed, rubbing his cheek against Seto's shoulder. "Nah, you didn't. Ever look at your VR game? Princess Adena? But... does that mean Mokuba was a girl?"

Seto stared at Joey a moment before he started to laugh. Joey bit his lip, trying not to lose control. Giving up both boys fell to the bed, laughing. Still chuckling, Seto slid the sheets from under them and covered both of them. Rolling Joey to his side, he curled up behind him. "Sleep now."

"Hmm... yah, tired. Hey..."

"Hmmm...?" Seto muttered into Joey's neck.

"Can I tell Mokuba that he was a girl?" Joey snickered. Yawning, he backed up into Seto.

"Ask me tomorrow." Seto muttered before letting himself drop off to sleep.

* * *

Rashid leaned over and gently pushed open the door. Smiling he leaned down, picking up the bags, and allowed the others to enter the apartment. Following his Mali-chan, he ran his fingertips down Malik's back. A slight trail of dark crawled over Malik's cheeks.

"Rashid..." Malik bit his lip.

"Yes, Master Malik." Rashid bowed, taking Malik's hand and kissing the fingertips.

Malik flushed even more and gently moved his hand from Rashid's.

Shadi chuckled from inside. "Isis, I see that all is well on this front. I wondered if they ever were going to accept their destiny."

Isis' giggle floated musically over the group. "Rashid, stop embarrassing Malik. I had dinner made before we went to pick you up, Shadi. Please let's eat."

Shadi bowed slightly, "Of course."

Malik stood there looking at Rashid. "You're my destiny?"

"I am glad to hear that, for I have always known that you were mine." Rashid leaned closer, one hand cupping Malik's face. "When you were born, before you were even given to your mother, I saw you and knew. I waited. I would have waited... forever."

Malik stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Rashid. "And Marik?"

"He is you as much as Yugi is the Pharaoh. A part of you and I would never think to separate you two. I love him as I love you, just differently."

Malik nodded. "Okay. Let's go before Isis drags us in."

Rashid smiled gently. "True, your sister would not like us not enjoying her dinner." Rashid gently tugged Malik towards the dining room.

By all the Gods of the Nile! This is sickening! Can you be any more saccharine? It's like a bad plot to a bad movie.

Marik, I love you too. We both do.

::shudder:: Rest assured, that you never have to fear that I will act like... that.

I know, you love me differently.

I never said that.

I know anyway. Malik sat down next to Rashid at the table. I said it. I love you.

"So tomorrow we meet Kaiba and the others at his house?" Shadi's voice interrupted the inner conversation.

"Yes, Kaiba..."

* * *

Yugi headed towards the tall black gate. About eight feet tall at its highest point, it was made of dark wood. On the left side about 4 feet off the ground was a small black intercom. With a dark metal grill and black buttons. Ummm, Yami, do you want to take over?

If you wouldn't mind, Yugi. It would be easier to talk to the rest of them. Yami replied.

If I minded, I wouldn't have asked. Yugi laughed as he held the glowing puzzle. A second later, he was looking out of Yami's eyes. Besides, I love seeing you and Kaiba go at it.

Yami shook his head and pressed the button on the intercom. "Yes, Mister Muto. Please enter."

A soft click and the gate swung open. Yami shook his head and headed up the driveway. Standing in front of the door. Reaching up to knock, the door opened wide. A young man dressed in emerald silk slack with a black shirt and a matching jacket, Joey reached out and hugged his friend.

"Hey Yami, what's up?"

"Joey... you look good. So I guess Seto isn't treating you badly." Yami stepped in, pushing the door closed behind himself.

"Yeah, well apparently Seto had someone go out and buy this stuff for me, yesterday. After he threw out all my clothes, even the uniforms." Joey tugged on Yami's sleeve and pointed the way. "He said that later, someone would come by and measure me for new ones."

"I see... and what does your father think of this?" Yami asked carefully.

"Who cares? Seto got him into some sort of rehab program. I'm staying here with him for now. Gonna try to get a job; so that when the bastard gets out, I can leave."

Yami stared at his friend. Soon they approached a large wooden door, Joey pushed it open and followed Yami in. The room was a library, the walls totally covered with books. In the center of the room was an immense golden wood table. Seated around it, starting at the head, were: Kaiba, dressed in a dark Mediterranean blue suit similar to Joey yet with a cream shirt; beside him sat Mokuba, dressed in a smaller version of the same suit, this time in light sky blue with a pale green shirt under it. Next to Mokuba sat Tristan, dressed better than usual with a coffee and cream polo shirt and gray slacks. Then Malik and Rashid sat together, dressed in matching leather outfits; Malik in cream and Rashid in a dark purple vest without shirts and tight pants. Across from Rashid, Isis stared at Yami, with her hair coiled and sitting atop her head. Several tendrils fell gently down her neck and over her thin linen outfit. A subtle yellow-cream combination and several blue and green designs around the edges. Seated next to her Shadi sat in his customary robes of sand and white.

Joey led Yami to the seat beside Shadi and sat down at the last empty seat, next to Seto.

"Good everyone's here. Except..." Seto tapped his fingers against the table.

"Téa!" Mokuba piped up.

Tristan turned to glare at Seto. "She's in America, as if you didn't know. You sent her."

Seto turned his head slowly to look at Tristan. "I sent her? Are you referring to the Nenjuugyouji Houki Tenkosei Gakujutsu (Annual young exchange student scholarship contest)?"

"Yes, she won one of the slots for Dance." Joey pointed out.

"I see... I don't have anything to do with that. Kaiba did. He knew that those children would feel indebted to him and of course, if he offered them a job later, they'd work out of loyalty to him. For every five hard subjects: math, science, astronomy, chemistry, or teaching; he would sponsor two soft subjects: music, art, dance. That way he would be known as a supporter of the arts as well as a leader in technology. I have nothing to do with who is selected. The only rules I insist on them having is that they can't choose Mokuba or myself. If I want Mokuba to see America, I will take him myself." Seto stated, crossing one leg over the other.

"Ok... well. Actually, Kaiba, I was wondering what dreams you have been having." Yami asked delicately.

"Is that why we're here cause Kaiba is having some dreams?" Tristan looked around the table. "Everyone dreams."

"Nah, that's not all Tristan. See, for almost a month, I've been dreaming about Seto dying. Anyways it turns out, that they aren't dreams... they're memories. That's why you're here. Because something's happening and you've been here along. And you're my best friend." Joey pointed out.

"Charming." Seto drawled, before closing his eyes. "The dreams of the past few days aren't really as important as last night's was. He stood on the golden sands, in the sun...

* * *

Yami nodded as Seto finished telling them of last night's dream. "And you remember his name to be Nkosi?"

"Yeah, and he had his hair dyed a really bright green. For some reason, he really hates Seto." Joey turned to face Seto. "He killed Seto."

"And you." Malik leaned forward. "Shadi asked us if we ever heard any stories that mentioned the high priest. We haven't. But I did hear one about a Nkosi... but he was the hero. He battled an evil sorcerer who had control over the pharaoh."

"I remember that one. They used to tell it when we were small." Rashid rubbed his ear, "Let's see... Nkosi was supposed to be the high priest but a new kid appeared. Everything was okay for a while but when adults weren't watching, the new kid would hurt others and steal. Finally, only Nkosi stood in his way. So he framed Nkosi for theft. Nkosi was thrown out. The other one became the High Priest, he weaved many spells and caused the Pharaoh, his advisers, and the other members of the priesthood to adore him. Several years passed and Nkosi traveled, learning as much magic as he could. Fifteen years after the evil one ascended to the top rank of the priesthood, Nkosi came back. He brought with him a beauty that he created; hair the color of wheat, eyes the color of the Nile, and skin as pale as moonlight. Gently, he weaved into her mind a compulsion that would have her come back when he called. Sending the beauty to the priest, he waited. Soon he noticed his control weakening, the beauty fell in love with the evil priest. So using some wheaten hairs from her head, he called her before his control weakened further. She came and the priest followed.

"For two days she walked, for two days the evil sorcerer followed. Finally, they met high atop a dune. The evil sorcerer and Nkosi fought. For days they fought, until at last the sorcerer stabbed the beauty through the gut. Stunned, Nkosi reached behind himself and pulled a blade. Attacking the evil one, he ran him through. The evil one laughed as he grabbed Nkosi and pulled himself along the blade. Suddenly, Nkosi felt a sharp pain, a small dagger was in the evil one's hand, and it was buried in Nkosi's heart. When they found them later, all that was left was a pile of dried wheat in a pool of silver water and the sand blasted bodies of two men."

"That... how dare he!" Seto's eyes blazed. "How dare!"

Malik shrunk back against Rashid. Isis turned to Yami. Shadi leaned forward. "I guess that is wrong?"

"Yeah! He wanted all the... Millennium things. Sef wouldn't give them to him. Then he kidnapped me to force Sef to give them to him but Sef didn't. He killed me and Sef but we killed him too." Startling blue-green eyes stared out of Joey's face

"But not before he killed Bakura, the former Isis, Shadi, and Malik." Seto jumped in, leaning back in his chair

"Wait, he killed me? What did I do to him? Is he why I spent 5000 years in that DAMN RING?!" Bakura shouted.

Seto smirked at him. "Yes. As to what you did, you existed. The pharaoh before Yami was our father. Yours, mine, Isis', Malik's, Yami's... and so on. The pharaoh gave the seven items to his first seven born children. Legitimate or not. Nkosi was my younger brother. He held the Eye. However when they saw his flaws, our father took the Eye from him and gave it to our full sister, Adna."

"Then, why did I have the ring, I'm not related to the pharaoh." Bakura pointed out.

Seto closed his eyes in pain. "How did you think you got the ring in the first place? You are the child of the pharaoh and someone. You're the second eldest. I was born a moon after Yami."

"No... I can't be related to him." Bakura slammed his hands down onto the table.

"Sorry but we both are. Depressing isn't it?" Seto leaned back. "Apparently our father back then had several wives and mistresses. You were the child of one of those mistresses."

"I REFUSE to be related to that... that..." Bakura raged.

Yami stared at them. "You are not alone in that 'tomb robber'! If he was related to us, he wouldn't have had to rob tombs."

Seto sighed and turned to face Yami, his eyes staring off into memory. "You didn't know about him... the pharaoh died before telling us. When someone, Nkosi, started killing everyone who held an Item, you realized that one was missing. We tore everything apart so that we could find something about him, until we found it. A record of the pharaoh's search for him. Born 2 days after you; when his mother died, Bakare disappeared. He had already possessed the Necklace. You searched for him, found him but unfortunately he was murdered soon after. You had him buried in your tomb. Apart from each other so long in life, you dear brother, chose to never part from him in death. Only three weeks did you have with him. You didn't even want to share him with me and he was my brother too. Then again you were always selfish, Hunefer."

Yami started and stared as Seto's eyes darkened to a rich sable. His voice picked up a stilted and bitten inflection. "It has been long time, Seferet, since I was last called that."

"You may have been pharaoh but you will always be Hunefer to me." Seferet stared out of Seto's face.

"I would expect no less... from my brother. Any of my brothers or sisters. Seferet, I am still missing part of my memory. I do not remember Nkosi or Bakare."

"I understand... I had to struggle just to talk to you. In fact, it was so hard that I had no choice but to cast a spell to awaken my Jahi." Seferet looked at Joey, a Joey with blue green eyes. "Jahi, we have found each other again."

"Yes, and I can speak once more. A voice that isn't destroyed." Jahi smiled, his voice lighter and firmer than Joey's.

"I loved your voice, it spoke of your strength to survive everything the gods threw at you. It told a story of your life. Right now, I have not much more strength. Now, Seto and Joey were right, it is Nkosi. He has been reincarnated in this time, such as we have." Seferet pointed to Shadi, "Tjtayu, have you sent the Eye off?"

Shadi bowed, "Yes, Seferet, I have. Yesterday, I felt a new hand on the Eye. Pegasus has done as was needed. All the Items are in their master's control. The final movements need to be decided."

"Good... You must work together. Even if my modern persona is a bit... stiff." Seferet smiled slightly

"Arrogant, stuck-up, bossy?" Tristan piped up the other side of the table.

"You know you don't have to be here, Tristan!" Mokuba shouted at him. Whirling around, he glared at the stranger in his brother's body. "And you, get out of my brother's body!"

Seferet stared at the young man. "So similar... you look like our sister. Tell me does your brother take good care of you?"

"Seto is the best brother in the world. Now let him go." Mokuba leaned forward, his hands fisted. "Let Seto go."

"Little one, I am your brother. We share one body. Believe me, I will release him before any serious harm is done."

"You aren't my brother and I want you out of him, now!"

"Soon, little one. They need this information, to protect you and if Seto loves you only one grain as much as I love Adna, then he would sacrifice himself for you. Let us finish, so that I may leave all the sooner."

"Mokuba... let him stay..." Tristan smiled weakly at the glare Mokuba gave him. "Look, the sooner he tells us what he needs to, the sooner Seto comes back. Come on."

Mokuba's shoulders slumped and he sat back down. "If you hurt my big brother..."

"I will not. Now Tjtayu... what is your name in this time."

"Shadi, High Priest." Shadi lowered his eyes.

"Call me Sef, you are my sen... my brother. Shadi, do you have my scales?"

"Yes," Shadi reached down and brought up a small bag. Opening it, he pulled out the Millennium Scales. "Here they are."

"Thank you, over the next few days, I will be instructing Seto in his dreams on how to use them properly. It had been a joy to see all of you again. I never thought I would be able to do so. Of all my lives lived... the time I was your brother was the best. Hunefer, you were a good pharaoh. Sacrificing your self, your life, at that time. Allowing yourself to be cut from your soul to save our world. A great sacrifice. Bakare, we didn't know you long enough. When we sent out that rumor to get you to rob our father's tomb. Which you tried and got caught doing so, was our most daring plan. Perhaps this time, Bakare we will have more time. Tjtayu, Shadi, you were always one we could trust. A dependable rock who never let us forget we were family, no matter what politics were going on in court. Naqada, you seem so strange with blond hair and the tan of the sands. I perhaps missed you as much as Adna, loving and delightful. Don't let the pain of this time cause you to lose that. Isetemkheb... Iset, a more devoted follower, no god or goddess ever had. A sense of peace and reason. A complement to Tjtayu. Try to keep them from doing too badly. Jahi, I must go now, this body grows weak."

"No! I... I miss you." Jahi leaned over, brushing his lip against Sef's cheek. "I love you."

"As I you, but this body belongs to those who live in this time, in this world. We must once again, become part of them. Only a part but a special part. You need to let the young man come back. You would not be a demon would you?"

Jahi bit his lip. "A demon?"

"One who possesses, who steals an other's life, an other's time? What we do now is only for this crisis. To advise and then go back to being simply a part of them."

"But our time was cut short!"

"Perhaps but it..." Sef swayed for a moment. "It was a glorious time. It was our time and I regret nothing of it. But I won't steal this Seto's time. If I do, he'll never have the experience of love as we have. Retreat now... please?" Sef leaned back, his entire body drooping in the seat.

"Yes." Jahi sat back, the blue leeching out of his eyes, leaving a hazel-eyed Joey looking around. "Man that was weird."

Seto opened his eyes, memory coming back to him. A snarl on his face, he stood up and strode out. Stunned, they watched as Seto stormed out. Joey pushed his chair back, the legs scraping against the floor. Brow furrowed in concern, he ran from the room.

Mokuba watched and got up to follow. Worried about his big brother, he took off. Or rather he tried to. A tug on his wrist caused Mokuba to look back. "Tristan, let me go! I have to get to my big brother!"

"Mokuba, I think you should let Joey handle this. It's... I know you..." Tristan tugged him back towards his seat.

"He needs me!"

"Mokuba. I have to agree with Tristan. We all know you love your brother. In a way, I understand. However, this is something between Joey and Seto. You can't protect Seto all the time." Yami stated, reaching out to take Mokuba's hand.

"But he needs me. I'm his brother!" Mokuba stated, his eyes tearing up.

"I know. But... he's growing up, Mokuba. He has to have more friends, even someone else to love. That'll be Joey. There are truly meant for each other, though I could wish for someone better for Joey." Tristan muttered.

Mokuba turned, his jaw trembling, "What do you have against my brother? Why do you hate him?"

"Because everything bad that's happened in my life since I was 12, in Joey's life has been because of him. And if I... can see that Kaiba needs Joey right now, then you should be able to also." Tristan replied.

"But..."

"Mokuba, just give them a couple of minutes together. OK?"

"Five minutes."

* * *

Joey slipped out the room. Blinking sleepily, he looked for Seto. A flash of dark blue fluttering just around the corner caught Joey's eye. Walking carefully, he stepped in front of Seto. Seto lifted his head. Dark bags had appeared under his eyes. "Ahhh... Seto are you ok?"

"Of course I am, pup. And if I wasn't, would you care?" Seto smirked tiredly.

"Geez stop being a jerk! Of course I care. And I know how you feel... tired, like your muscles hurt but they don't. Like moving would take more effort than it should. You want to just sleep for a while."

Seto stared at him. "Yeah. Pup, is that why you've been so sleepy lately? Has he... the other one, tried to take you over before."

Joey lowered his head. "I don't know... I don't remember." Joey leaned on the wall, next to Seto. "I'm missing time. Were you able to watch everything? Do you remember anything?"

"Yes, and I can't believe that I was ever related to Yami! How dare he say such?!"

"Because it's true?"

Seto stared at Joey. Reaching out slowly, he brushed his puppy's hair back. "What's wrong, Inu?"

"Nothing."

"Pup! I'm invoking my question now. What is bothering you?"

Joey's eye flashed. "Last night... when you came into the room. I didn't recognize you. I didn't know you. Then it's like I woke up. And I felt safe. Then... it faded out. When I could remember, it was morning. Sometimes I'd look in the mirror and I'd see one eye almost blue and the other is brown."

"Damn... I think he wants to live again. Seferet, my past self, asked Jahi, your past self, to retreat when Jahi didn't want to. He may have been taking control of you before."

Joey closed his eyes, "Seto, why do I get the idea that we're going to fail."

"Don't be pessimistic, puppy. I am Seto Kaiba, I never fail. What's really bothering you?"

"I answered your question." Joey pushed off from the wall, his knees collapsing a bit.

Seto reached out, tugging Joey towards himself. Holding Joey, he smiled at him. Seto leaned down, his free hand cupping Joey's face, his thumb brushing over Joey's bottom lip. "Though I do have to say... my other self has good taste."

The sound of a door opening and slamming into the wall.

"Big brother."

A peculiar look crossed Seto's face. Slowly he straightened up, pulling Joey with him. Brushing Joey's lip, he whispered, "Tonight." Letting Joey go, he walked around the corner, pulling Joey along with him. "I'm right here, Mokuba."

"Big Brother!" Mokuba spun around and ran to his brother, hugging him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. I just needed to... relax for a moment. I'll be back in a moment. Go back and watch them."

"Are you sure?" Mokuba looked up, worriedly.

Seto smiled at his little brother and stopped down. Hugging him tightly, he ruffled Mokuba's hair. "Yes, I'm sure. Go."

Seto watched as his brother went back into the room. "Let's go get rid of them. Dinner, then we're going to talk..."

Joey stared at him for a moment before following. "Promise me."

"Trust me."

"I do." A flash of blue entered Joey's eyes. "Seferet."