Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Seto's Wish Alternate World Conclusion ❯ C13 Joey My Love? III ( Chapter 13 )

Mokuba A/N: The following was written by Clarity2199. It Is Seto/Joey. DON'T LIKE DON'T READ NO FLAMES!

 

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C13 Joey My Love? III

 

Kaiba finally returned home, going in the back way and heading to his personal workout room, next. He entered, taking off his shirt and pulled a water from the mini-fridge to have a drink. After a quick break, he then began his usual Judo moves. He could vaguely hear the voices from Joey and Mokuba upstairs, indicating they were both up. Ignoring their muffled voices through the door, he next pulled out the Jo Staff from his weapon's wrack and began to practice with that. The door opened, as Joey began to head down the stairs, saying, “Hey, I didn't know you were into this......”

 

“Get lost.” Kaiba replied coldly without drawing his attention away, and continued to practice.

 

Joey was now all the way down the stairs, not bothering to listen to him, as he added, “You know, you gotta get ready for school. And what the hell are you wearing? Oh yeah, by the way.......how ya feeling after last night?”

 

Kaiba maneuvered a swinging position towards Joey with it, stopping it barely a millimeter from Joey's face. “I believe I told you to leave.”

 

“That's not very nice.” Joey swallowed.

 

Kaiba turned his back on Joey, heading back to the weapon's wrack, adding, “What ever gave you idea I was nice?” He put the staff away and went to reach for something else........that wasn't there. Kaiba froze, looking over the weapon's wrack, noticing something missing. “What the-........” he muttered to himself, puzzled.

 

“Hey, from how you were last night, I thought you had a pretty nice time. There's no reason to be acting this.......” Joey began, heading in his direction, as Kaiba put his hand up, to shut him up.

 

Kaiba then turned, calling out, “Mokuba!” and waited for his brother to run over.

 

It didn't take long for his brother to head down the stairs, as if he was sitting at the top step listening in on them. “Uh.......yes, Seto?”

 

“Where's my Katana?” he asked.

 

Mokuba looked rather puzzled from the question, asking his own question. “What Katana?”

 

“`My' Katana.......you know what Katana. Where is it?” Kaiba snapped, accusingly.

 

“Seto.......you don't have a Katana.” Mokuba said, beginning to look worried about his brother.

 

Kaiba simply stared at his brother for a few good moments. Then not saying another word, he pushed passed Joey and headed up the stairs, passing his brother, as well.

 

“Big brother, where are you going?” Mokuba asked.

 

“To my room. Isn't it time for you two to get ready for school?” Kaiba asked.

 

They followed Kaiba up, as Joey said, “Yeah, it's time to get ready. So, why do you sound like you weren't including yourself?”

 

“Because I'm not. I'm not going today.” Kaiba answered, heading to his room.

 

Mokuba looked to Joey, who shrugged, equally confused and followed Kaiba to his room. In the bedroom, Kaiba had already stripped off his shirt and was looking for some clothes to wear. As Joey came in, Kaiba turned and snapped at him, “Do you mind? I am trying to get dressed in here!”

 

Joey didn't seem to think twice though, as he closed the door and had a seat on the bed, saying, “Hey, it's not like there's something I didn't already see.......”

 

Kaiba glanced over at him irritated, as he pulled out some clothes, getting ready to put his shirt on.

 

“Hey Kaiba, where did you get the scars?” Joey suddenly asked.

 

He slipped the shirt on, saying, “I had them, moron.” Then looked back over at him and sneered, adding, “I thought there was nothing you haven't already seen......”

 

“Well.......I did see them, yesterday. Just didn't get a chance to ask until now. How'd you get `em?” Joey asked again.

 

Kaiba now paused, looking down in thought. “You're telling me that we're supposed to be some kind of couple, yet you never saw these scars on me before?”

 

“No. You never had `em before.” Joey answered.

 

“Wheeler........I've had them for years. They're old scars.” Kaiba answered. He looked back over at Joey, saying, “So, I'm right........I'm not losing touch with reality, it's not me. The whole world might seem to insist I'm supposed to be different than I am.......but you're wrong. You're all wrong.”

 

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“Listen Seto, it ain't possible to have had those scars for that long. Maybe you just got temporary amnesia, or.......” Joey began to say but Kaiba sharply cut him off.

 

“.....are you listening to what I am saying?? I did NOT forget anything! It's not amnesia.......I have memories of what happened, but these thoughts aren't the same as everyone else. I'm not the same. Mokuba can't even remember that I learned to use a Katana, something that I clearly remember doing.” Kaiba insisted.

 

“All right......maybe you're right. But skipping school ain't gonna solve anything. Let's go to school, then afterwards we can try and fix this.” Joey said.

 

“No, I need to figure this out now.” Kaiba answered. “Besides, it's pointless to go to school, anyway.....I'm all ready two days ahead of everyone else.”

 

Joey shook his head, asking, “Why the hell do you do that? Are you bored?”

 

“Once again Mutt, you're missing the point.” Kaiba snapped. “Everything was fine, until yesterday morning. I went to class to hand in my papers to find out I was two days ahead of everyone else, when I clearly remembered getting those assignments yesterday. I had graded work that I showed the teacher that she graded, which was the work that was due today. She did not remember grading them. It's like I took a two-day time warp into the future. Of course, that still doesn't explain why everything seems to think I'm gay.” he answered.

 

“You ARE gay!” Joey said, exasperated. “After last night, you're still insisting that you're not interested??”

 

Kaiba sighed and turned away from him, saying, “You really `are' stupid, aren't you? Taking advantage of someone drunk and disoriented, then handcuffing me to the bed so I can't do anything about it, is hardly what I call a `willing interest'.”

 

“What??” Joey asked, shocked to hear Kaiba's accusation. “What are you saying, I raped you? I took advantage of you? The Kaiba at least `I' knew wouldn't have allowed any of that, despite his condition, unless he had at least `some' interest in it!”

 

Kaiba leaned heavily against the dresser after that comment, his head lowered and lacking in pride. “You have a point. Under any normal circumstances, I would be inclined to agree. But the way yesterday was going, I was beginning to doubt my own sanity. Even my own brother was telling me I was wrong. I began to doubt myself and started to believe that perhaps everyone else was right and I was wrong. After all, how could the whole world be wrong?? Only now I am starting to finally see the validity that I'm not going crazy, that something truly is wrong with this world and not me.......inconsistencies that should not be there.”

 

“I'm.......not sure I follow you.” Joey said.

 

He turned towards Joey, saying, “Never mind. Go to school.......let me do what I have to do.”

 

Joey got up and approached Kaiba, putting a hand on his shoulder and giving a pouty face, saying, “Does that mean you still don't love me?” Joey looked like he could really use some kind of emotional support from Kaiba.......a kiss, a hug, something.

 

It was something Kaiba was not willing to offer. He gave a smile, and for a change it wasn't cold....more sympathetic than anything, as he said, “Go to school, Wheeler. You're starting to remind me of the puppy I always accuse you of being.”

 

“I don't want to stop being with you......” Joey said, sadly.

 

“If I can find the problem and fix it, then maybe you won't have to.........” Kaiba explained, as simple as he could.

 

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Joey went in the limo with Mokuba, as they left towards Domino High. Now that they were gone, Kaiba took the time to get dressed and look more publicly presentable. He moved over to the phone and next made a call.

 

“This is Mr. Tashaki. Who is this?” an elder man asked.

 

“Sensei........this is Seto.” Kaiba said calmly.

 

“Ah......Seto. You are not calling to cancel for tomorrow......are you?” he asked.

 

Kaiba shook his head. “No. Actually, I need to ask you something. This might sound strange, but......do you remember giving me lessons on the use of a Katana?”

 

“I do not teach sword use to my students, Seto.” Tashaki answered.

 

“I'm aware of that, Sensei. This was a rare case. Do you ever remember teaching me?” Kaiba asked.

 

Tashaki said, “No, Seto......I have not taught the use of any weapons in a long time.”

 

There was a long pause, before Kaiba finally answered, “Thank you, Sensei......that is all” and hung up the phone. Then without a second thought, Kaiba went to his limo driver and ordered him to drive him to his next location.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

Kaiba got off at a hidden store deep in Domino city, and knocked on the windowless door. A thin Chinese man opened the door, asking, “Can I help you?”

 

“I am interested in purchasing something from Mishi.” Kaiba stated and the man opened the door. All swords of various types, knives, and stars were sold in this place.

 

The man smiled, saying, “You like what Mishi has to offer.....yes?”

 

Kaiba looked over at him, saying, “I was actually more interested in your hand-made katana's.”

 

The man glared at Kaiba, saying, “Mishi doesn't make swords, only sells them!” sounding angry.

 

“My sensei is Tashaki......he referred me to you, Mishi.” Kaiba explained.

 

Mishi seemed to glare at Kaiba for a long moment, asking, “Your name?”

 

“Seto Kaiba.” he answered.

 

“Famous........”, he smiled then turned away. “Mishi knows that Tashaki doesn't teach sword fighting to his students.”

 

“This was a rare case.” Kaiba answered, simply. It was like deja vu all over again. Almost the exact same words being repeated as he did with Mishi close to 3 years ago.

 

Mishi approached one of the swords he sold, pulled it off the wall, then offered the sword to him, hilt first. “So you know the Katana, huh? Then show me!”

 

Kaiba took the sword, stepped into the middle of the room then showed him the steps he normally did on an everyday basis. He knew when he first mastered the sword, he was probably quite nervous when he showed his example to Mishi, then. Now, it was so fluid.......he might as well had been doing it for 10 years.

 

“You are good.” Mishi said, surprising Kaiba. When he remembered doing this, Mishi said he was merely satisfactory, but still at least convincing enough. Kaiba gave the man a bow and returned the sword to him the same way. When Misi put the sword back on the wall, he said, “Come with me.......”

 

Mishi brought him into the next room that showed 5 swords, all hand-made. They were exquisite and perfect in every way, unlike the cheap mass-produced ones that were being sold in the other room. Kaiba carefully touched the hilt of each sword......his hand finally resting on the one familiar katana that he knew was his from his own memories. Even now, this sword seemed to sing to him. He carefully drew the sword off the wall, looking it over with loving care. “So......you choose that sword?”

 

“Yes.” Kaiba said. Kaiba gladly paid the outrageous amount of money for it, as Mishi gave him the scabbard for it, gently wrapped it in a velvet cloth, then handed it to him.

 

“Remember.......you never bought it here.” Mishi reminded him, which Kaiba nodded, understanding. He took the sword and returned back to the mansion.

 

Once back home, Kaiba had once again practiced with his Katana, finishing the normal exercise routine that he was accustomed to doing, before finally returning to his office. Then the rest of the day was taken trying to get as much ahead in his business as he could. In order to try to get back what he was missing, he unconsciously was trying to fix the problems that he could at least fix. He knew he could use a katana, so he bought a sword, his business was 2 day's behind him, so he would catch them up. Even if the rest of the world was still crazy, he would try to fix them so that he could be normal, again. But it still didn't explain why things were the way they were.

 

So, Kaiba stopped from working, taking a break for now, and took the next step. Kaiba began digging through all his past information, to find out what else was possibly different. He did find some minor differences, with enough digging. It appeared that even though Gozaburo was equally mean to him; he didn't seem to be as harshly abused......which explained the difference in why Joey never noticed the scars before. He found that out from his medical records, it didn't show nearly as many `accidents' in Kaiba Corp's medical logs as there were supposed to be. His bed seemed to be immediately replaced, almost as soon as Gozaburo leapt to his death. In fact, his way of celebrating seemed to be entirely changing his room and wardrobe the instant he was gone......something he didn't remember doing. Kaiba remembered that he did have a drastic clothes change, but only after he came out of his coma......not before. Most other information though seemed to be pretty much the same.

 

So, Kaiba returned to his work. By the time he finally caught up with his two days of extra workload, Mokuba and Joey finally returned from school. The video camera showed the limo pull up as they came to the door and entered. Joey of course made enough noise to wake the dead. He came bounding upstairs first thing and began to pound on Kaiba's office door. “Hey, you in there??” he asked.

 

Kaiba considered giving a snide sarcastic remark, but decided otherwise and simply replied, “Enter.”

 

Joey waltzed into the room, leaning his elbow heavily against the desk, saying, “So.......what did you find out, today? Did you loose your marbles, or just your memories?”

 

Kaiba glared up at him and asked, “Don't you have homework to do?”

 

“Yeah, but I'll do it later.” Joey answered. “Well?”

 

Directing his attention back to the computer, he answered, “I see why you don't remember the scars that are on me. My own medical records aren't showing even 1/2 the damage I sustained in the past. It's as if it never happened.......” `If only.' he thought.

 

“Well....what happened to you, anyway?” Joey asked.

 

“Never mind.” Kaiba coldly answered, as Mokuba came in.

 

“Seto.......what did you find?” Mokuba asked, worried about his brother.

 

Kaiba looked over at Mokuba, explaining to them. “I did the research on why you didn't seem to remember me every knowing how to use a katana. You're right.......I talked to our teacher. He never taught me.”

 

“Well, then why did you think you knew how to use one?” Mokuba asked.

 

“Because I do. I remember taking the courses on it, I remember purchasing a sword. I even took the same steps I remember taking to purchase one. I remembered the store, the shop owner........he's still there. I showed him the moves to prove I know how to handle one. He even admitted I'm good at it.”

 

Mokuba's eyes widened, asking, “Really?”

 

“But that don't make sense!” Joey spat out. “How can you know any of this, if it never happened?”

 

“Exactly. And to be honest.......I still can't figure it out.” Kaiba admitted.

 

Mokuba looked down, saying, “Joey told me about you being two days ahead in school. It's kinda like the problems you were having at work, yesterday.”

 

“Exactly. I remember talking to the same people 2 days ago, saying the same things to them. In fact, I already had information that was in my briefcase of paperwork that the secretary didn't even have a chance to give me yet. And when she did, the handwriting......everything was exact, as if she was able to manually copy her own work without even trying.” Kaiba said.

 

“You got the duplicate? That I'd like to see.......” Joey said.

 

Kaiba pulled from his drawer the one sheet, saying, “This is one of them.” Then he grabbed his briefcase, opening it and swinging the top up. As he was reaching for the paper, his eyes caught the small details of a gold box and hesitated.

 

Joey peaked in, wondering what caught his attention. “Hey.......what's that?”

 

“That........that box.” Kaiba said, as he slowly reached in and picked it up, looking it over.

 

Mokuba looked over at him, also observing it, as he asked, “Seto......??”

 

As he felt and looked over the box, thoughts began to seep into his mind on events that had happened, events he had forgotten about. Mokuba was sick......Aiko came to help, he ended up in another world with his parents, he saved Mokuba, he came back, another him appeared, he had to go to another world to save Mokuba again. “Mokuba!!” Kaiba suddenly cried out, and leaped from his seat.....realizing his mission.

 

“Seto, what is it??” Mokuba asked, with growing concern.

 

Kaiba suddenly looked over at Mokuba, then slowly towards Joey. `Gods.......what have I done??'

 

He realized he first arrived here in the limo. And when it stopped fast, the hit on his head must have caused some kind of temporary memory loss, after all......but not quite the same as they thought. He was in another universe, which explained why everything was so different. And what he did last night......

 

Kaiba closed his eyes, unable to believe what he had done. And of all people.......he was just too shocked and horrified with himself to put into words what he was thinking right, now. In fact, he didn't even want to think about it.

 

Finally, he snapped out of it, saying, “Nothing. Listen, why don't you two go and start making supper. I need time to think about this.”

 

“Are you sure?” Mokuba asked.

 

Kaiba smiled to him, saying, “Yeah, I'm sure.”

 

Mokuba left, with Joey trailing behind. Before he left, he turned to Kaiba, saying, “Hey I, uh......suppose you still feel the same way you did this morning, huh?”

 

Kaiba hesitated, as he stared at Joey. He then simply turned away from him, saying nothing. He was in fact too embarrassed with himself to answer.

 

Joey took that as a yes, lowered his head and sulked out, closing the door behind him. Kaiba actually felt bad for making Joey feel that way, but that only scared himself even more. He refused to think of it any longer, and immediately decided to work the box. As soon as he could get out of here, he was hoping that he could forget about all this.

 

So much for him being better qualified than that other Seto. Then again, if he was here, he probably would have made an embarrassment to Kaiba Corp by simply dressing the way he did.

 

Kaiba then opened up the box and disappeared into the next reality.