Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Gin no Umi o Wataru ❯ Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Joey watched Seto walk off, sighing. Hiroyasu Kubo appeared at his side. One hand gripping him firmly above the elbow. Another bodyguard walked behind them.

"Master Joey, let's get you to bed. If I may say so, I've been with Mr. Kaiba since he was brought into the house. And I do not believe that he is so much angry with you as he was... apprehensive about your coma. Master Kaiba did not leave unless ordered by the doctor and even then, he returned as soon as possible." The other guard stepped forward to open the door as Hiroyasu helped Joey through with gentleness. "He has already made alternative arrangements so that you attend your classes despite the distance. Master Kaiba is hard to understand but you will see more of him than I."

Joey grit his teeth as he hobbled up the stairs. Hiroyasu holding onto his arm. At the top, Hiroyasu held him upright for a second before swinging Joey into his arms. Joey stared, shocked, he didn't think the guards could do this kind of stuff. As they approached Joey's room, he relaxed. "Tell me something... were you always a guard or were you a shrink in a previous life?"

Hiroyasu chuckled, "The Kaibas value loyalty and family. They knew that if they help us attain our dreams, then we would never forget them. They made sure we all could attain our dreams. Every male and female of my family has had opportunities that were unusual for the times and even our culture. Women, often exploited or ignored, were cultivated for in their young age who does a child listen more to? A distant father or a loving mother? Who teaches them their first lessons in right and wrong? No, the Kaibas saw no reason to ignore half of a family, so even the women were allowed the chance to learn and never did they starve us for knowledge."

Hiroyasu moved aside to allow his partner to open the room door, "When it was determined that I would be a bodyguard, I requested and got schooling in psychology and sociology, with emphasis on child and teenage behavior. I was assigned to watch Master Kaiba when he was but six years old. I was never denied any tool that I need to watch him. He was my only concern. Even young Master Mokuba meant nothing to me except in how he affected Master Kaiba, which he did greatly. From the time I graduated until three days ago, I watched Master Kaiba."

Joey stared at the guard as he was set down on the bed, gently. Hiroyasu reached for the shirt, and carefully took it off him. "When did you graduate?"

"I finally got my master's seven years ago. Now it is time for you to rest, Master Joey. We'll be around thought you may not see us. If we do our job right, you won't see us. Ignore us, in fact." Hiroyasu folded the shirt, as his partner took off Joey's shoes and socks. Together they slipped off the drawstring pants from the hospital. While one pulled down the sheet, the other lay Joey back into be. They nodded as they headed for the doorway.

Joey carefully lay back, as the two were leaving, he spoke up. "Wait, you were Seto's until three days ago? But..."

"He reassigned me, of course. Now you are my charge, my only charge. Good night, Master Joey."

As the door closed, Joey curled up in the bed. Salty tears leaking from his eyes. In the dark he whispered, "Sorry, Seto."

* * *

Seto Kaiba gazed at his little brother. His long, black hair fell sweetly over one slightly tanned shoulder. His thin lids, slightly lighter than the rest of his skin, shuttered his navy eyes. One hand lay curled on top of the covers by his mouth. Sighing, Seto lifted the hand and put it under the comforter. Making sure the blanket was tucked around the smaller boy, he stood up, and walked out of the room. Crossing the hall, he sat on his bed, kicking off his leather shoes as he lay back on the firm mattress.

//Damn Mutt! He still doesn't understand what he did wrong. That's typical of that group. Act first and think last. He's impossible! He acts like he can just get up and go on with everything. That... vexatious brat! As if I am such a horrid brother that I wouldn't teach Mokuba how to protect himself. Does he honestly think that he helped? Mokuba could have saved himself and Joey, but that fool had to just jump in and make things worse. He's... He and that idiotic group are as bad as that 'Harry Potter and his friends' in those books Mokie likes to read!// Seto closed his eyes, thinking of that stone room he was in, the last time he ventured into the depths of his mind. Suddenly, he found himself within his vision.

Sef sat cross-legged on a thin mat, holding a golden instrument in his lap. "Hello," he greeted, in a soft voice. "It's made of pure gold, with strings of silver for the perfect tone." The spirit didn't look up as he stroked three picks over the strings. "Ruby, Emerald, and Ivory, for perfect balance. So, are you still trying to blame Joey for being Joey?"

//Damned parasitic, sarcastic, ghost!// "Haven't you decided to hide somewhere else?"

"This is our mind, dear light. And this world..." Sef gestured with a flashing, flick of his wrist, "Is my land. Besides, you can't stop thinking of Joey. It rings through your mind, echoing until my head hurts," the spirit declared. His voice was a bit irritable, and his eyes weary, as he gazed at his lighter half. "You say that you love Joey, but isn't one of the things you love about him his loyalty? His manner of knowing, that even though he may lose, he will not give up? Combine those two, and you can see why he had to protect Mokuba, even if it risked his life. Not because he was careless with himself, but because he is careful with you. He knows... Deep within him, there is no doubt, that you love him. He knows, that you have lived your life for the past eight years for Mokuba, and Mokuba alone. He isn't even sure that if Mokuba died, you would follow him. So why are you determined to find a reason to be angry with Joey for being Joey?"

Seto stared at the spirit, his lips pressed together tightly, causing the skin around them to turn white in his anger. He watched as Sef stood, the instrument he had in his lap clanging sweetly as it hit the stone floor.

"Enough with wasting time. Tonight we go into your essence. You will learn to use the Scales."

The CEO's hands clenched, nails digging into the sweet flesh of his palms, as Sef stepped close. Seto subconsciously stepped back, giving up a little of his ground. Realizing that he was being a coward, he then stood firm, awaiting the actions of his darker half.

Sef held out his hand, a large white feather appearing in his palm. Placing it in the right dish, he raised the scale before Seto, "Clear your mind of all present thought processes. Once you accomplished that, I want you to think of Joey. He may want to stay with you, but you keep pushing him away. Think of what would happen if you lose him." Sef watched as Seto's eyes went from the color of shale, to that of soft, deep water. He then stepped closer, his index finger caressing his light's cheek, scraping against the tender skin to catch an errant drop of liquid. "You never cry, my dear light, do you?" The priest inquired softly. "You should, it's cleansing. All those tears contained for so long, with no outlet."

Seto stared at the Egyptian, before stepping back. "Do what you're going to do and get it over with."

Sef flicked the droplet into the dish of the left hand side. "Watch." A mist formed, Seto turned and part of it rolled away. Seto could see a beautiful scene. Long waves of green grass waved under a darkening sky...

Sef flicked the teardrop into the left dish. "Watch," was his simple command. A mist formed, part of it rolling away as Seto turned, to reveal a beautiful scene with long fields of green grass waving under the darkening sky…

* * *

A Town on the east side of Britain
Owned by one Lord Esau D'Kortney
On St. Paschal Babylon's Day
In the one thousand one hundred and fifty-eighth year
After our Lord's birth.

Seth clutched at the reins, leaning back. The horse ignored him and still thundered across the meadow. Twelve year old Seth, tried desperately to slow the rampaging horse. //Dammit. Father is going to kill this one, he gets spooked so damnably easy! And I should have known better than to try to train him in the western field. Too much room to run and a sudden stop when he goes off the cliff!//

A flash of red and gold whizzed by... Seth stared as his horse jerked to a stop, a tanned hand reached out and yanked on the right rein, trying to get the horse to bear right, away from cliff. Seth looked up to see a young boy about his age. He was dressed in red shirt with a black and gold vest. His wheaten hair was loose in front but pulled back in a tail, bright brown eyes stared out of a tanned face. Nodding to the boy, Seth pulled his kerchief from his pocket, folded it over several times, and placed it over the horses' eyes. Slowly, the horse settled, its flanks flecked with foam. Its barrel heaving with the harsh pants. When the horse finally stood still, Seth slid from the saddle and wrapped the reins about his hand tightly. He waited for the other boy to dismount. Smiling, he held out his hand. The gyspy boy and that is what he must be, for no other people dressed as such, took his hand and bowed over it, placing a kiss in the palm. Seth's smile grew wider as a warmth started in his chest.

"Ahhh... I thank you for the help. I am Seth D'Kortney. And you, oh fair gypsy?"

"You know what I am, I am glad. I am Kistur, of the clan Vardalos. I am very pleased to meet you."

"This time... you know I owe you my life, according to your culture that means there is a bond between us." Seth replied, not taking his hand from Kistur's.

Kistur tilted his head, "True, or maybe its payment for a previous life."

"Ahhh but since we don't know, the least I can do is share my meal with you. Unfortunately, it's about five miles back the way we came. Come, `Skillful Rider', for truly you are. Let me feed you before you must return." Seth tugged on the reins, guiding his exhausted horse into a walk.

"You know us well, lordling. Come, up on my horse, yours can follow." Kistur climbed up into his saddle, holding out his hands for the reins. Without a second thought, Seth clambored up behind him. Kistur fastened the reins to his saddle and waited for Seth to put his arms around him. Clucking softly, Kistur's horse set out. Seth placed his head on Kistur's shoulder and let the warmth and the steady hoofbeats lead him off to sleep.

* * *

Kijika- NA - Quiet Walker, fisher

Namid- NA - Star Dancer, hunter

One night in a rainforest
Year of the Snake,
Cycle of the Eagle

Kijika watched as Namid left the village fire. Every day Namid went off, for what, Kijika decided he needed to know. Taking a cue from his name, Quiet Walker, Kijika followed silently behind his rival. Namid ran lightly through the surrounding jungle, feet gripping the soil as he paced himself, and he watached as Kijika brushed his long brown hair back from his face, wrapping a thong about it again. He could not lose Namid again. He knew that the other was the better hunter in the jungle but he was the better fisher. And while he never came home empty handed, Namid could… and did. But this wasn't the time to hunt so why would the young man leave the safety of the village?

The quiet footfall stopped, Kijika paused moving slowly closer to the edge of the jungle. As his eyes focused on the clearing ahead, he watched amazed. It seemed he was not the only one who lived up to his name. Namid, the one of the honey eyes, danced under the stars. Long limbs celebrated life, graceful feet sang of joy, rolling shoulders heralded strength. He danced about the clearing, each time coming closer to the cliff before darting away, daring the cliff to claim him. Kijika stood, of all the beauty he had seen in his life, none had touched him as this one. Parting the leaves that hid him, he started forward. A flash of light caught his eye and he noticed a rock on the ground. Namid did not and Kijika cried out as Namid's foot came down on the rock. The golden eyed one cried out and jerked back towards the cliff. Kijika ran forward, as the cliff crumbled, he dived to the ground, one hand catching at one of the gold bracelets that surrounded his beautiful one's wrist.

"Kijika… where?" Namid looked up into his rival's eyes with fear and trust.

"Does it matter? Now, try to wrap your hand about my wrist."

Namid nodded. His feet scrabbled at the rock face as he tried to get a foothold on the cliff. Sweat poured off them as they struggled to drag the dancer back up. Amber eyes stared into the dark ones of his rescuer. Never losing eye contact, they finally got Namid back into the clearing. Exhausted Namid lay on the grass. A chuckle beside him made him roll over. His muscles protested but he managed to do it. Kijika lay on the grass, his silken ravenswing hair glistening under the starlight.

"What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing... nothing... I... I... I followed you, to know what you were up to. And the gods have taught me a lesson. A wonderful lesson, Namida. You who were named a dancer of the stars, when you danced tonight. The gods answered my unknown prayer. I am lonely, Namida. Very lonely. Come... share my hut, share my catch, share everything you wish. Give me the pleasure of helping you clean what you hunt, you can help me clean what I hook. I am no fool to deny what the gods obviously are telling me. Please?"

"Kijika... so arrogant Kijika, do you think just because you want me to that I shall? If I had known all it took was dance, I would have danced for you four years ago. And now... now, you ask?!"

"Are you promised?" Kijika's eyes stared at him, eyes as dark as the sky above.

"Close... though maybe by now."

"Break it. Even if we have to leave the village, break it. I'll be yours, and never ask you for anything again... in payment for your life, I ask you break it."

"Hush." Namida wiggled closer, lips brushing against his former rival's. "You still own my life, and of course I'll break it."

Namida chuckled as he moved to hold him soon to be lover in his arms. "Rest. Tomorrow, we'll tell the elders."

A brown head nodded sleepily, lips pressed against the tanned flesh of the fisher, a murmur of agreement, then the deep breathing of sleep.

Namida stroked the long hair from his beloved's face and cuddled him closer. "Forever."

* * *

Seto reached up, dragging his hand across his face, moisture sticking to his hand. Frowning, he turned the palm up and stared at his wet skin.

//Tears. Does it not feel good to cry? To release what you hold back so much. This is one power of the scales. After all, the scales symbolize balance. Does not Ma'at use the same scales to weight our heart versus a white feather? It takes in account all the evil and good we have done in *all* our lives. These scales can take you into your past lives, it can show you what could have been, or may yet be? It can show you how an action may weigh you down. The scales have just showed you the past, and how you and Joey have come together time and time again. Each time you did, you were both happy. Therefore, why does it matter it you feel you are being pushed? It seems that you and Joey are one of the truly destined matters in this world. Accept it. Accept Joey with all his faults, and love him because of them, not in spite of them. Go, speak to him.//

"I don't like being enslaved, to not have my own choice!"

//But you have. You've made this choice, time and time and time again! When you've chosen him, you've had a happy life. You only suffered pain when you tried to run from him. I... I... you understand enlightened self interest, yes?//

"Of course!" Seto snorted at the idea.

//Then understand, I don't want you to suffer because I would and I'm tired, so sun scorched tired of pain and suffering! I had to watch Jahi be MURDERED by my own brother, the boy I loved almost more than my sister! And you tell me to let you suffer?! I will not, I will not go through this again! I will not suffer it, not this time. GO TO HIM. Go and love him for all the time you have. I swear by our immortal soul, I will not let Nkosi or Noa kill him again. Please... go to him.//

Seto stood up shakily, one hand grabbing the wall beside the bed. "If I do..."

//You will be the one thing that has eluded you for so long, Seto.//

Growling Seto stumbled from the room, legs stiff from sitting in that position for so long. The tingling pin and needles sensations shot up his legs as he moved out of the room. His bare feet sank noiselessly through the deep pile carpet as he weaved out into the hall. Ahead of him, Yuki Kubo sat by the door, eyes scanning the area around the hallway. As Seto walked closer, the eyes noticed him but didn't stay solely on him. As he laid one hand on the doorknob, Yuki's hand clamped onto his wrist.

"He's asleep, finally, Master Kaiba."

"Is he? Then I'll wait for him to awaken." Seto stared at his former guard with eyes hard and unflinching.

"No, sir... Sir, you've always known that we are trained to be the best we can be and I have to say that how you treated Master Joey is shameful. He's honest, not too bright, but honest. It will be an honor to serve him."

"Protect him, no matter what it takes. It's what I expect of you. I also expect you to allow me into the room."

"Well sir, that will be up to Hiroyasu." Yuki opened the door and waited as a shadow moved closer. "Brother, Master Kaiba is here... shall I let him in?"

Hiroyasu nodded, "This time, yes. However," he caught Kaiba's eyes over his younger brother's shoulder. "Master Kaiba, the state in which master Joey returned to this room was unacceptable. I trust you will you will make a definitive choice soon?"

Seto Kaiba glared at the bodyguard's challenging stare. Eyes hard and full or fury. "I trust you to know your place." He pushed past Yuki and entered the room.

"I do, Master Kaiba, after all you assigned me to it. That place is between Master Joey and any who wish to harm him. Any."

Seto nodded curtly and walked past the guard. He looked over at the bed. Joey lay in it, hair cut short, skin pale and dry, his eyes looked puffy. Frowning slightly, he walked over and slid onto the bed. His fingers played over the other boy's features. Trailing over the rough cheek and up towards a bare spot over the temple. There was no hair there, only an ugly lurid red line with large hairy spiders sitting on it. He frowned, //That... that had almost cost meJoey, again!//

Shrugging off his shirt, he moved the sheet and lay down. Joey was so warm. Slipping one arm under the blonde, Seto rolled Joey over until he was pressed up against him. Brushing his lips over the stitches he wrapped the other arm around his beloved. Lips caressed the rough skin as they traveled to Joey's ear. The blonde murmured and pressed closer to Seto. Pale arms clenched him closer.

"I- I'm sorry." Seto whispered, tucking Joey's head to his chest. Closing his eyes, he stroked his destiny's back as he slowly succumbed to sleep.

* * *

"So what is this place?"

"It's my home, Joey. No... not where I was born but rather where I finally settled down. Seferet and I used to live here. I was so... luxurious. Oh nothing to compare to what you have now but... for the time. Cool baths every night if we so chose. Succulent fruits... oh the variety and all of them full of juice. Many time Sef and I used each other as trenchers. How not when the fruit made his flesh all the sweeter. The night we have sent in this set of room. This bed. Ahhhh, days gone by and days yet to be fulfilled. So tell me, how goes the battle?" Jahi guided his other self through the room and pulled back a gauzy veil. He gestured to the bed.

Joey flopped back onto the bed, watching Jahi sit beside him, "I guess it goes. Seto didn't want to talk to me. And then he had to go pick a fight!"

"A fight? About what? What by Ammnit and the unending darkness is his problem?"

"I saved Mokuba."

"Mokuba... oh Adna's other self! But He loves him, right?"

"Yeah, but he started yelling about why the hell didn't I hide, I didn't have to take care of Mokuba, I was just stupid to do what I did. He starts screaming at me and saying that I need to remember that I'm not immortal. DUH!" Joey threw one arm over his eyes

"I see... well, actually that's good!"

"GOOD?! How can you say that?" Joey leaned up on one arm and stared at him.

"He's overreacting, yelling, and being a pain. All because he loves you. And since you know he loves you, it would make sense that next time instead of banging your head on stone, try to drag the child deeper in the building for if a `bullet' is anything like an arrow then the more things that stand between you and it, the better. For each thing will slow it down more and more. And as I have seen many many times, it is better in truth that you do not die. Or do you wish to wait so many years without him once more?" Jahi tugged gently on the arm, forcing Joey to lie back. Lying beside him, he hugged him gently and whispered softly, "To be alone, again? Truly... and do not lie to yourself any more."

Joey moved closer, arm wrapping around Jahi's waist. "No... I... I... he fits me. I think I love him."

"You do, I can see it." Jahi pulled him closer still and buried one hand in the hair. "Shaggy pup. Even here you need a hair cut."

"HEY! No dog jokes!" Joey leaned forward and nipped at his collarbone.

"Feisty pup." Soft lips pressed against the soft hair, a hand stroked the slim back. "Trust me, Joey. Tomorrow, apologize to him that you risked your life by reacting rather than thinking and everything will be alright. Ok?"

"Yeah... ok." Joey closed his eyes as soft lips brushed against his forehead.

* * *

Outside the Kaiba Corp. Mainframe.

Nkosi lay back into the warm green cover as Noa walked about the tower. Smiling, he watched his... other self frown. It was strange but for the first time, Nkosi felt... protective. And somehow protected. A memory tickled the back of his mind of his time in Egypt, when he was a prince and his older brother Seferet would spend a couple of hours before bed teaching him the old stories. Grumbling, he shook his head and pushed the memory away from him. It was a long time ago and before Seferet had betrayed him, driven him from the temple, and inflamed their father and siblings against him. The dark mood continued to linger on him. Standing up, he crossed over to where Noa stood and wrapped his arms about him.

"Yes, Nkosi?" Noa sighed.

"How are we to get in?" Nkosi nuzzled the soft skin behind Noa's ear.

Noa moaned sweetly and tilted his head back. "There's a door, it's just hidden... watch."

Noa stepped forward and held his arms about bodywidth apart. A scroll flashed into appearance. Pulling it open he placed it against the stone. Gently it sank into the stonework. Suddenly, lines of red started and streaking around and around whirling dervishly, suddenly then stopped, first a line at the bottom, then the one immediately on top of that. They stacked up until they formed an arched doorway. Noa smiled and pushed open the door, stepping aside he bowed to Nkosi. "Enter, and let us enjoy ourselves."

"Yes..."

* * *

Milo strapped in and nodded at his friend, Dan. Grinning back at each other, they lowered the lids and leaned back. Milo opened his eyes and stared. The buildings were all in red stone. Turning about, he almost collided with his friend. "This is..."

"SO COOL!!!" Dan laughed, reaching out to stroke the building. Pushing back his dark brown hair, he watched the people flow past. He looked down at himself and spun around. He was dressed in rich clothes of red and blue, a plumed hat perched on his head. He stared at his friend, dressed as he was but in colors of blue and silver. "Feels so real. Come on, let's get started. I heard the princess of this game is a real babe."

A young girl came running out of an alley, black hair falling into rich blue eyes. She collided with Milo and stared up at him. "Please, sirs! Help me?"

Dan smiled, "Yeah, sure that's what we are here for, right? Sir Milo?"

"Right, Sir Danforth. Now just calm down little lady and we'll work it out, okay?"

"Thank you, sir. My name Adina, and you look so much like my father."

Milo laughed and tied his hair back, sweeping his plumed hat off his head and fastening on her with indigo eyes. "We're at your service, lady Adina."

* * *

11:39 PM
NTN Studios

Naota Kanzi scrolled through the e-mails in his inbox. One alone had a red exclaimation point next to it. Curious, he stared at the address: . Shrugging, he clicked it. The mail opened up and as he read, a frown appeared on his face. As he read further down his frown changed, a smile grew in its place.

"Well, well, Kaiba you are going down and this time... nothing will stop it. Now let me just make a quick little phone call to... St. Gilles."

Kanzi picked up the phone and dialed. As he did so, he reached over and hit the print button. Picking up a pen, he checked off the first name.

1. André Broussard, 16, hospitalized at Sté. Reoun in St. Gilles, France.

2.Gunter Shank, 21, hospitalized at Comme Hospital in Nordhausen, Germany

3. Dan Anderton, 19, hospitalized at St. Francisin Westhaven, British Columbia, Cnada.

4.Milo Lawton, 18, hospitalized at St. Francisin Westhaven, British Columbia, Cnada

5. Leo Hernandez, 17, hospitalized at San Angelo Hospital in Puerta del Sol, Puerto Rico

* * *

Tuesday the 28th

Warm.

So warm.

Joey wiggled, trying to get closer to the warmth. He felt soft lips brush over his face, hands stroking down his back.

"I know you're awake, pup." Seto whispered softly in his ear.

"Awww, let me sleep." Joey groaned and hugged him tighter.

"Fine. First, I have to... apologize to you." Seto bit out. "I shouldn't have yelled at you for saving Mokuba. I... if I lost him..."

"I know, you love him like I love Serenity. And ya know, if it had been you getting hurt saving Serenity, I'd yell at you too. I guess it's normal."

"Normal to scream at each other?"

"The day we don't fight, that's when I'll worry but nope, I mean normal to worry about someone when you love em. Got it?" Joey stared at Seto, brown eyes meeting blue with determination.

"Yes. I guess it is normal. The first normal thing in my life for a long time. Now, we should get up. We move to the Kaiba Corp. building today. It'll be harder to get to us there."

"Yeah, right! You just gotta do work! Now are ya gonna get out so I can dress?" Joey sat up.

"Can't I watch?" Seto smirked as he watched Joey move.