Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Gin no Umi o Wataru ❯ Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Monday the 27th

8:13 pm
Tanaka Maeda Rehabilitation Clinic

Iwata stood quietly, head bowed as he searched his key ring. Finding the right key, he cut his eyes left to right and back to left. Seeing no one around, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. The lights were dim inside the room as Iwata walked over to the bed. He knelt down beside the bed, reaching across the body in the bed. His pale hands reached up to cup the pale face. He ran his hands through the golden hair. He smiled at his lover as his hands stroked the soft skin and came to rest on a thin strap of leather. "Angel... my beautiful one. May I take this off, please?"

Translucent eyelids raised and plain blue eyes dulled by fear stared at Iwata before the man nodded.

"Good... I hate doing this to you, Angel." Iwata moved to sit on the bed and unhook the gag. "Now, are you thirsty?"

Mr. Wheeler nodded and waited. Iwata poured the water into a small plastic cup and held it for Wheeler to drink. As he did so, Iwata's other hand caressed his neck.

"Very good, Angel. The doctors said you should be going home soon. I can't wait. We'll keep your apartment for a couple weeks then you can move in with me. You don't have to worry about a job, I'll take care of you, I promise.

Mr. Wheeler licked his lips, "I-I-I can't... my son, I... have to take care of him."

"No, you don't. Believe me, Kaiba is taking good care of him. He even got him a whole floor at the hospital. Oh yes, he takes fine care of him, just as I will of you."

Wheeler swallowed harshly, "Hospital, why is he... what happened?"

"He was a hero, he chose to save Kaiba's little brother and hit his head. Very noble yet what child of yours wouldn't be? He takes after you, almost as beautiful yet he is a mere boy. You are a glorious man, a beautiful angel who was brought down by that vicious bitch, but look what you got out of it. Two wondrous children, inheritors to your angelic nature! They have overcome what that sinful bitch did to you. Your daughter resembles her mother but only superficially. Your spirit shines through her."

"You've..." Wheeler licked his lips, "seen her? How?"

"It's easy to do a small search. Besides it was on all the news and in the papers. The gallant young man who went to duelist's kingdom and bravely dueled for the chance to win the money for his sister's eye operation. It was a great story. This is how I know you have a great soul for no mere drunkard could have raised a wondrous child like this. This must be the result of her. Don't worry; once you are restored to your true self, I'll be there to help you. Now and forever." Iwata leaned forward, his hand pressing Wheeler back. As Wheeler lay supine, Iwata moved so he could lay his own head right over Wheeler's heart. "Now, let's just rest. I wish... I wish I could release your arms, but the poison in you is still making you do evil. Last time you tried to hurt me, don't know why. All I want to do is love you."

Wheeler's eyes cut down towards Iwata, locking eyes with him, he smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry... love."

* * *

8:21 pm
Domino City Hospital

"Tris, what's wrong? Seto didn't kill anyone! He couldn't..." Joey protested, struggling to sit up.

Seto pulled him back to the bed. "Don't get upset, Joey. Tell me Taylor, where did you hear this?"

"Nii-sama, what does it matter where he heard it, it's a lie! How could you say this Tristan! Just leave!" Mokuba shouted.

"Mokuba, hush... where did you hear this, Taylor?" Seto persisted.

"I heard it on the day, you fired Mother."

"Then you heard wrong, Taylor. I didn't kill him, he killed himself. He killed himself with his foolishness, with his arrogance, with his absolute surety that he was perfection. I didn't mind his death at all! He called me in that day, to tell me that my scores weren't high enough. He claimed I was still distracted, and he claimed to know what that distraction was. He intended to remove it and outlined what to him must have seemed a perfect plan. He stood right in front of his window and told me that.

"You have to know Gozaburo, he was arrogant. He believed that nothing happened without his permission. Most skyscrapers, the upper floors don't have glass in their windows, it's tempered lead glass. They are coated with a plastic film so even if it breaks you can remove it safely, or its safety glass. That wasn't good enough for him, he had them removed and replaced with real glass. He even sat with his back to the glass, confident that no one would dare shoot him through it.

"After his statement, I started forward, I told him that I was not going to let him send Mokuba to a foster home. I told him that if he did try, I would destroy all his files and kill him. He's not allowed to touch Mokuba. Everything I went through, all the hell he made me suffer was to benefit my little brother. I would never let him take Mokuba away from me. I must have actually scared him because he backed up; he got upset and spun around. When he did, he tripped over his Moroccan leather chair and fell hard against the glass. It shattered, he fell out. He tried to grab the window frame, the glass shards sliced his hands, he laughed and then let go. So I didn't kill him, I just watched him die. He fell and laughed. I was just relieved, so... there you have it. He killed himself and I can't feel sorry about it. I am sorry that I've destroyed your idea of me as this evil bastard who pushed him out the window."

Mokuba just stared at his older brother. "I wouldn't have left you, no matter what he said. I wouldn't let him take me from you. You're my big brother. I promise, Nii-sama, I wouldn't have let him. I swear!" Mokuba laid his head against Seto's ribs. "Never."

"I couldn't let him, Mokie. So Taylor, are you going to yell this from the top of your lungs?"

Tristan merely grunted.

Joey's eyes narrowed as he stared at his best friend. "Tris, you were wrong, admit it. Then we gotta make some plans, I'm not just sitting here and waiting for Noa to remember me."

Seto stared at Tristan, "You are right, I did fire Mr. Wheeler, he was one of about fifteen hundred that I did fire. In his case it was because of the three hundred thousand yen worth of finished products he stole. Of course that was only the amount I could track. The paperwork for everything more than four months earlier were incomplete. So yes, it is my fault Joey lives where he lives. Did you expect me to keep a known thief on my books. Especially one who didn't care that half the stuff he was stealing were things that were on their way to be destroyed. Destroyed because they had been recalled as dangerous. My company last year paid out over twenty seven million yen in settlements when people sued us over malfunctioning equipment. Five years ago, we made a product that slid over the eyes. It was a games visor that was used to train the Defense Force, a batch of two thousand were recalled when it was discovered that a flaw in the crystal matrix that made up the screen within the visor caused it to shatter when the laser that created the graphics hit it in a certain way. One soldier lost his eyesight. We discovered the flaw and recalled them. Finding it would cost more to refit them than to destroy them and considering that if we did refit them we couldn't be sure about it's safety, we decided to destroy them. Last year two of them cost two teenagers their eyesight. According to our paperwork both visors were sent to destruction. According to the facility's paperwork we didn't send two thousand, we sent one thousand. Now the sequence numbers were sequential. 78885437 to 98885437. On the destruction facilities paper work it says 78885437 to 88885437. So very easy to change an 8 to a 9 or claim he had bad writing. So that 1000 faulty visors out there, we have only found little under 400 of them. So tell me, Tristan, should I keep someone on my payroll who takes people's sight? As it is, I didn't have to blackball him. Once it was found out that he was one of the thieves who sold those extremely dangerous visors, no one wanted him. After all... he obviously does not care for the company at which he works. (repetition of "so", and there too I'd change some full stop, to keep the sentences more fluid…)

"If he had come to me and said, `I took this stuff to make extra money but now I found out it's dangerous. It must be found!' I could have worked with that, I still would have fired him, but I wouldn't have made it impossible for him to find another job. He kept selling it until one of my own undercover operatives bought one off the street from him. He can't even claim he didn't know because it was announced several times. However, because Joey refuses to give up on him, I will give him a chance. Against my better judgment, after he completes detox, I will send him to a small job in the motor pool. His work will be checked over every time but he will have a chance. And that's all I can promise, Joey."

"It's more than enough, Seto. It is, but if he fucks up again, fire him. I mean, he always drank, not bad but he did. If he ever comes in drunk or takes even a damn pen, fire him. How could he? Those poor kids..." Joey leaned back, eyes shining with unshed tears.

Yugi cleared his throat and leaned forward, "Hey Kaiba, which visors are they?"

"Kaiba Corp. ST-549's. Why?" Seto frowned.

"Well, we have a bunch of old stock, stuff we never sold for one reason or another. We keep them because sometimes people get attached to one particular type and just want a replacement but a few years ago, Grandpa used smaller dealers than he does now. I need to check but we have some old Kaiba Corp. stock. I know they were game visors but a better one came out a few months later."

"Yes, the 560's. We pushed up the production as a way to discourage use of the 49's. Check the stock, Yugi. If you have them, give them to me. I can't let them stay out there."

"Of course you can't. If they are 549's I'll call you."

"Thank you, Yugi. Now Tristan, what else do you have against me? We have to settle this now because if you really are Gatchaman and that's not just another lie, I may actually need your help."

"Tristan, even if you don't do it for him, then help me. We gotta stop him." Joey asked.

"Of course I'd help him for you, didn't I already say that?" Tristan leaned back. "The fact that you have reasons doesn't mean you didn't ruin my life or Joey's. After you took over and fired my mother, everything went wrong, that is your fault no matter what `reasonable' reason you come up with. However, the sooner started, the sooner ended and I so want this over."

"Fine. It's already eight thirty. School tomorrow. I'll call down and have cars take you home. You shouldn't be alone." Seto stood up and flipped open his phone. "Joey is going to be moved to a more secure location."

A knock on the door brought all eyes to the man standing in the doorway, "Don't you think you should be asking me if I'll let you? I don't care who you are Kaiba. I will not let you move him if I think it's dangerous. Get whoever you need in here to tell me what they have for him and I'll consider letting you move him."

"Doctor. Tell me what you want and I'll set it up, but someone tried to kill Mokuba and Joey. I can not realistically allow other patients to be put in danger. It lowers share price when Kaiba Corp. or myself looks to be insensitive to our consumers. In addition, Joey has to be more protected. Worrying your patients with increased presence would not be conducive to their recuperation. One moment." Seto listened to the other person on the phone. "Hai, Mudaro call the in-house physician and one of the rooms in the suite set up to house Joey. Until further notice, we are going to live on that floor. Inform the school that Joey, Mokuba, and I will be doing remote schooling. Assign cars to Tristan, Marik, Bakura, Shadi, and Yugi. Also I want video cameras set up in the rooms to record our lesson. Get the usual tutors. Make sure Wheeler is locked down, whoever is doing this may try to use Joey's dad to get Joey. Serenity and Mrs. Wheeler stay on the mountain. Have food delivered by copter but no one goes to or from the town."

The doctor nodded. "Very well, and just a small question. I've been waiting for your discussion to end, I can't even say I understand this much. However it seems that you think someone can break the encryption on your VR to interfere with the minds of the people who are using your equipment. You are a very intelligent young man, Mr. Kaiba but you aren't expert on anything. Seek out the experts. Who was actually in charge of writing the code, making the interface, the one who has the experience? You may understand it but not as... intimately as the one who has worked on it non-stop for years. That's how we do it. I mean, my specialty is neurology with particular interest in comas. When he came in with a coma, there were several doctors much more experienced than me. Several who have been working in real practice for the past ten or more years. I, however, have spent the past seven years working on the effects comas have on the developing mind and how to bring teens out. That's why they called me in. Could he have a better surgeon? Probably, but that surgeon while more experienced, does not understand the delicacies that I spent my life in studying. What may work with most people may be adverse with developing mind. So, go to experts. Don't be too proud." The doctor smiled and looked at Joey. "And no matter what, I'll see you at the very least every other day for check ups, but you're lucky, Joey, you're hard-headed."

Seto smirked and squeezed Joey's hand. "That he is. Very well, I'll have my physician call you within the next half hour. The cars are waiting for you downstairs. They'll be by tomorrow to pick you up to take to and from school."

Yugi stood up and stretched, "Thank you, Kaiba.

Mokuba smiled up at his brother. "That's my Big Brother!"

Tristan shook his head as he snorted with disgust before heading out. Bakura smirked and stood up, wrapping on arm around Ryou. He steered his hikari out the door. "And that's who you're gonna work with for the next ten weeks. Wait till he finds out you're rich."

Shadi, Isis, Malik and Rashid stood and bowed to Seto. Rashid smiled and took Malik's hand. Shadi stared at them with his sightless eyes, before nodding. As the others left, he whispered. "Peace follow you, my friends."

Seto nodded slightly and sat back down. Pulling back the curtain from the other bed in the room, he pushed Mokuba towards it slightly. "Lay down."

Mokuba nodded and climbed into the bed. Seto moved his seat between the two beds as his phone rang. "Yes?"

* * *

Time Irrelevant
The Internet

Noa broke the surface of the shimmering waves. Turning around, he brought Nkosi closer. "Here, I found this place a couple of years ago. Whoever this Gatchaman is, they've been breaking into Kaiba Corp. and stealing as much data from them as possible. They don't seem to be selling it, just keeping it. I've found traces of even my program on there but no real amount, he doesn't keep it there. Does he suspect, I am here? I doubt it. However, we don't need to take a file, just copy it. And to do so, I must get closer. Look carefully, my other self. Tell me if you see anything happening."

"Of course." Nkosi moved closer, resting his head on Noa's shoulder. Noa laughed as they lifted out of the opalescent liquid and stood before a block of dark gray granite. Slowly the two of them moved around it, before Noa stopped and pulled aside was seemed to be a panel made of cloth.

"First wall, follow." Noa led them inside this stone block to a cocoon. Noa pointed to the small crystals threaded on the strands of the cocoon. "Those are alarms, be very careful as we get through. First we must be as ghosts."

"Very well." Nkosi nodded as his self faded to a slivery shade. "After this, what?"

"If he hasn't changed anything then we will spy a wooden cage next." Noa took the ephemeral hand and drifted through the webbing, his passage barely disturbing the crystal. When the crystals floated towards them, they stood still until they had passed through. Slowly the threads thinned and they could see faintly through the web. Suddenly, the webbing disappeared and before them before rose thick bars of a bamboo cage. The distinctive segments stood out in stark relief.

"Damn, he's moved the bars closer to the webbing. It will be hard to get through without disturbing the crystals. Wait." Noa reached out and ran his fingers over the segments, pressing slightly, tugging slightly. Silently he took Nkosi's arm and pressed them close to the bamboo, leading his other self, he moved to the left. He ghosted his fingers over the bamboo as they traveled around the cage. Feeling one give he stopped. Gently he took out first one then another piece. Grinning, he kept it up until he had 10 pieces. "Quick get in. I must replace them in the same order quickly."

Nkosi nodded and jumped through. Noa followed barely a step behind; silently he turned around and replaced them quickly. Seeing the next step, he sighed. "ICE!"

"Can't it be melted?" Nkosi stared at it.

"No, my friend, this isn't ice. It's ICE. It stands for Intrusive Countermeasures, Electronic. That means anything that attacks it, it will return it with not just the same measure of force but twice the amount. It is dangerous."

"So how do we get through?"

"Ahhh, we talk to it."

"Talk. We talk to it?" Nkosi stared at him.

"Yes, if we have the right words and numbers the ice will become as permeable as fog. We copy what we need to then replace it and off we go."

Nkosi nodded, "I see, well speak its language."

Noa laughed before leaning over it and whispering softly. Soon a pearlescent mist rose from the ice block. It filled in the entire area of the cage. Noa knelt down, blowing the mist away. In the middle stood a simple wooden box, a dodecahedron that measured perhaps 10 inches on a side. Each face held 1000 slots. In each was nestled a tangle of green light. Noa reached out with one slim pale finger to touch first one tangle, feeling a slight tingle. Shaking his head, he moved to the next one. After trying a few, he nodded. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a small clear ball. Inside was a twist of smoke. Silently, he pressed the ball to the tangle he selected and slowly the twist of smoke in the ball became a tangle of electronic green light. Handing it to Nkosi, he continued down the row, seemingly at random.

"What is this?"

"It's a new file. I copy all of Gatchaman's files. After all who knows when I'll need the information and let's not forget he loves to steal Kaiba Corp.'s data. This is one of my best links in Kaiba Corp." Noa pointed to the globe. Turning he kept checking the files. "And that, my *friend*, is one of the newest of the stolen files. A list of all the places the pods have been shipped. And this... this is what we need. A copy of the VR program source code."

* * *

8:30 pm

In a small apartment, off a side street, a slight buzzing sounded in the dark. On the back of the tower an eclipsed green light flickered on and off. It lasted maybe ten minutes before it faded. The slight purring while the computer ran stopped and silence fell once again.

* * *

8:35 pm
Outside Domino Hospital

Yugi stared as Tristan burst his way out of the hospital. He sighed with resignation over Tristan's manner, or lack of them.

//Yugi what is wrong with him?// Yami asked, perplexed.

//He's scared, I think. Tristan doesn't really have anything to do with the Shadow Realm or play Duel Monsters. He was always just there to help us. He did it because he is our friend. And that was fine because in the end, it all worked out. Only those of us who had the Items had anything to do with the Shadow Realm and it was really dangerous but we had the Items to help us. Now Joey is involved, with no Item, in danger, and Tristan sees Kaiba as trying to take Joey away from him.// Yugi whispered back. //Yami, he *hates* Kaiba. I'm worried what will happen if he keeps acting like this. We need to work together.//

//I know, we must help him overcome this. I've seen people like Kaiba both in this time and in mine. I remember Seferet as a man who would do anything to preserve my reign. Even when it cost him the one person he loved almost as much as I, Jahi. If he had asked I would have given him the Millennium Items to trade for Jahi but he didn't ask. To him, I was the god king, son of the sun. I may have been his brother but I was also the pharaoh and he would do anything for me. I do mean anything. As children he would sacrifice anything, take any punishment, no matter what for his siblings. As an adult, he would have killed Jahi as a sacrificed if I so demanded it. That's how loyal and faithful he was. That's exactly how he is now. He will do anything to accomplish his goal. Anything even if it means sacrificing everything he is. Tristan can not see this and we can't risk a misunderstanding. It's getting too dangerous.//

//Yes, but what can we do?// Yugi watched as a group of men approached them. All in dark suits, they didn't smile.

"You are Yugi Muto?" One asked.

"Hai."

"I am Tanaka. I will be your escort tonight. Tomorrow, I must ask you to wait inside the store until the escort comes for you. Master Kaiba takes your safety seriously."

A snort from over Tristan's way distracted Yugi. Nodding, he headed for the car. At the last minute he turned and waved goodbye before getting into the back seat of the car. The tints on the windows were so dark that the street lights cast feeble glows within the car.

//Why are the windows so dark? I can't see where we are going?// Yami complained.

//We don't need to know, Yami. They do. If it's so hard for us to see out than it must be as hard for people to see in.//

//True. I'm wonderingwhatNkosi will do next. I know that Kaiba believe Nkosi to be suffering from a disorder of the mind. If this is so, would it be repeated in Noa? If Noa's body is artifice then would not he be spared from this disorder? Or is this disorder part of the very energy of the mind? Nkosi no longer has a brain, he rather exists in as part of Noa's. As I do as part of yours. How then is Nkosi part of the artificial Noa? Did Gozabaro accidentally copy him? Did he know about this second part and perhaps that is the reason he didn't want Noa to inherit? So many questions, so few answers. Is there even a way to save Nkosi? Or shall I have to destroy him... my brother.//

Yugi bit his lip and stared into the window. The tint reflected his face back at him. //I don't know! I... Yami why doesall this have to happennow?//

//That I do not know either, beloved, but for whatever reason it is happening remember that I am with you and always shall be. Always.//

Yugi felt the slight pressure of Yami's touch, then a slight breath blew across his cheek before phantom lips pressed against him. A tongue moved into his mouth, a tingling sensation suffused him. It pressed deeper into him. Yugi moaned, hand flailing against the buttons on the back of the front seats. A sheet of black glass rose silently. Yugi felt a subtle pressure pushing him backwards. Sighing, he reached up to press against Yami. //Wait, we are almost home.//

//They can not see us, nor do I believe they care.//

//Yes, but the seat belt is digging in my back. Once we are home... bed!//

//Very well, my love.//

Yugi blushed as the car slowed. He moved to open the door but it wouldn't open. Frowning, he tried again. A tap on the glass caused him to jump back. A few seconds later the door was opened from the outside. Tanaka held out one hand.

"My partner has gone to get your grandfather. I must ask you to stay inside the shop until one of us comes to the door tomorrow."

"Okay but... isn't this a little... extreme?" Yugi asked as he levered himself out the car.

"Isn't casting a fusillade of armor piercing bullets into a crowd and through the crowd into an elementary school full of innocent children extreme?" Tanaka asked, eyes scanning. As they approached the door to the shop, Yugi looked at the other man. Tanaka nodded, "Mr. Muto, Yugi, this is Mr. Qin. He is the second of four bodyguards that Mr. Kaiba has assigned to him. Tomorrow, we shall introduce you to the other two. Please keep, young Mr. Muto inside until we come to the door for him."

Grandpa shook his head, "Ummm yes, of course. However it is getting late and Yugi must go to sleep."

Tanaka nodded, "Yes, we will pick you up 30 minutes before school start. Have a good night." Reaching out he closed the door and waited until he heard the lock turn before they walked back to the car. Silently both men opened their doors and settled in for the night.

Yugi shrugged and hugged his grandfather before he headed upstairs. He laughed as he washed up. All the while, Yami whispered of the pleasures he would show Yugi once they were in their inner realm. Yugi bit his lip, trying not to say something out loud. Soon enough Yugi slipped beneath his sheets, the blinds on his window were raised. Shining with slightly golden light, the moon's beam poured over him with delicate sheen. A slight whisper of air against his cheek caused him to close his eyes. Phantom lips pressed against his, a slightly buzzing sensation filled his mouth. Yugi whimpered softly, a small sound, electric teeth grazing over a bitten lip. Gasping, Yugi opened his eyes to see golden stone lit by a fat gold tinged moon. Under him were light gauzy sheets. Above him, eyes of clear violet stared down at him.

Whispers of ancient Egyptian tickled in his mind. He knew they were words of love but the words themselves escaped him. Yami chuckled, his tongue lapping down Yugi's chest. His tongue swept over the pale mocha nipples.

Mother Nut, who holds the lights of life,
lights a path to your heart.
Sister Isis, lover to the gods and earth
teaches you to sings of your soul.
Brother Horus, he who speaks the perfect words
speaks of your heart.
Father Aten, giver of life,
breathes breath into your lungs.
And for this, I pray every day,

As I share you breath, listen to your heart,
listen to your soul.
And may it sing to me in the Valley beyond.

Yugi shivered, fingers twisting amoung the black strands of Yami's hair. "Please!"

Yami laughed, teeth grazing over Yugi's flesh. His hand reached down, slipping over firm skin to unbuckle a thin beaten gold belt. Deft fingers untangled the fine linen kilt. Reaching lower his hand cupped the slim cock, cradling the firm balls. "My light, my heart, my soul. If I had the words, if I was as elegant in my words as my dear brother I would be able to paint a picture of my love for you. Alas I can't so I must show you. In this world, in this place, I am not Hunefer, son of the sun but rather `nefer, your love. Your Yami.

"Yes. Please!" Yugi bucked up, pressing his firmness against Yami's thigh.

Yami's hand ran over the smooth skin. Leaning close, he let his hand drop to the stone floor and picked up a translucent purple bottle. It sat perfectly in his palm. Carved from a single large agate, the thin oily liquid inside quivered gently. Tipping it carefully, he caught a few small drops on his fingers, slicking them nicely. Holding it firmly by the neck, in front of Yugi's face, he pressed his lover closer to him. Hand cupping the tight buttock, he sucked merrily on the smaller's neck. "Take the vial, Yugi. I want you to prepare yourself."

Frantically, he grabbed the bottle, a sharp edge slicing along the Egyptian's thumb. Yami pulled himself away with a groan, his hand cradling himself. He watched as his other half poured the fragrant rich oil into his hand. The faintly pink liquid warmed slowly in his palm. Yami stared as he reached down, one leg rising.

"No, meryt. Tonight, I give myself to you. Tonight, take pleasure in me." He reached out, fingers wrapping around the small wrist. "Prepare yourself, and I will prepare myself for this, our first time as such."

The violet eyed young man turned a sweet smile to his lover. He moved the palmful of fagrant oil to himself. Tipping his hand slowly, he poured it over his straining erection. The thick red tip hot and hard to the touch. The firm flesh heated the oil which in turn stimulated him. Grasping the firm flesh with one hand he stroked himself, the other rolled and massaged his balls.

Oil slick fingers swiped through and over the oil soaked groin of his lover. Smiling, he reached around himself, levering his legs wide. Moaning, he slipped one finger inside himself, trying to cover the inside of his passage. He flexed the digit, teeth biting down on his own lip. His cock bobbed as he rode his fingers. His lids lowered slowly until all Yugi could see was a round curve of crimson burning into his own eyes. His arm flexed and jumped as the former pharaoh prepared himself. Head tossed back, he whimpered as he slipped a second finger in. From under his lids, he could see his lover panting, lips fat and wet from being bitten. Leaning back, he spread his legs. "Come Yugi, my playful love."

Yugi bent forward and wrapped slick fingers over his lovers' hip. Fingers digging into the firm flesh harshly. He knew he would leave bruises but why should he care. For tonight, Yami was his. This man who was a great a powerful pharaoh, who held great powers of magic, who commanded legions was his tonight. He pulled Yami close, one hand guiding himself to his lover's opening.

"Thank you." Slim hands pressed deeply into his flesh. He could feel the pleasurable burn as his lover pressed in slowly. Millenia had passed before this day but he regretted only one thing, that it took so long. Arcing back, he felt Yugi's small, sharp teeth break through the thin flesh right below his neck. Then everything went white.

* * *

8:50 pm

Seto groaned as he dragged one hand across his face. Blinking sleepily he moved to sit up. His head hit the top of the car and a yelp was forced out of him. Joey smirked, "Didn't hear me telling ya not to stand up, did ya?"

"If I had do you think I would have done it?" Seto snapped, sitting gently back into the seat. He stared at Joey's look of hurt. "I'm not my best when I wake up. And why are we at the house?"

"Umm first thing, the guards didn't want to wake you or Mokuba up, so they just left us here in this garage. Second, the doc apparently left a message that it would take several hours to set the rooms up at Kaiba Corp. So they said they didn't want to just drive around so they came here. Don't worry, they've been making sure, I wake up every hour. Don't know why. One would think they'd let me sleep." Joey complained, yawning.

Seto's eye grew hard, "You've been sleeping for four days. And they have to wake you every hour for twenty four hours so they know you aren't going back into a coma."

Joey nodded, patting Mokuba's hair. Silently he got up and moved sides so that he could sit next to Seto. "Are you angry at me?"

"Why would I be angry? Where are the guards?"

"One's in the front seat, and you keep looking at me with meanness. I didn't mean to get myself in the hospital. All I could think of is saving Mokuba and how pissed you'd be if I let anything happen to him."

Seto turned indigo ice onto Joey's face. Raising one hand, he knocked on the tinted window of the limo. "Mokuba has been trained. He would have jumped down and hid under the stair well."

The door was yanked open, a guard standing quietly as Seto got out. He threw orders over his shoulder, "Call Kisigawa and have him come here. Put Joey in his regular room."

Joey sighed and moved slowly. The other guard lowered a hand for Joey to lever himself out. "Ya know I didn't expect you to be so... bitchy. If you're gonna have a problem, I can go crash at Yuge's."

Seto whirled around, his coat flying behind him. A swift handsign and the guards left. The right side of his mouth lifted in a smirk. Eyes sparked with heat and mischief, "No. You can't."

"Yeah, and who's going to stop me?!"

"You are. You signed a contract, you gave your word, and you still owe me four questions. Now, the guard will take you to your room. I'll see you later."

Joey grit his teeth and allowed a small growl to creep out of his throat, "No. You're being a cranky bastard and after I thought maybe you were human after all!"

Seto growled, moving closer, "Well we know how off your judgment is considering that you don't consider yourself mortal, Joseph! Or maybe it's that you don't think you're mortal. Is that it? You can't think? Do you understand that you were in coma? That's a living death but that's ok because you're immortal, aren't you?!"

"NO! I'm not but I had to do something, they were shooting at Mokuba!"

"He knows how to hide! Do you think I'm such a horrid brother I didn't have him taught that?! You just had to listen to him!" Seto grabbed Joey's shirt. Pulling Joey closer, his voice hissing in Joey's ear. "You almost got yourself killed. Then what? We wait another hundred years?!"

Joey's eyes narrowed. "Wait, you're *pissed* that I protected Mokuba rather than hiding? You utter ass."

Seto's eyes grew colder and harder than one ever though possible. "Tell me, Joseph... if it had been the opposite? If I had put myself in a coma by being inexcusably clumsy in defense of your sister? If it had been I who did this? Tell me, answer this Question!"