Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Soulmates ❯ Prologue ( Prologue )

Soulmates

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, Dragon would have Seto wrapped in plastic and no one would be allowed to touch him but her.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, take off already!

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thought and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

*…* Ryou's thoughts and mind link to Bakura

**…** Bakura's thoughts and mind link to Ryou

~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Okay, we know the dialogue for this chapter doesn't match the show but, *shrug*, artistic license. Any similarity to the show ends when they get to the hospital and find Solomon up and around. But then again, those of you that have been reading this arc already know that. We would also like to apologize for having Tea(Anzu) in this story, but she's instrumental to the plot.

This story actually falls between chapter one and chapter two of Friends & Lovers.

~*~*~*~*~

DD: We've had this on the line for a while now.

YD: And we've gotten to a point in Family where we thought it would be a good idea to start it, seeing as some of the things that have happened are coming back to haunt the guys.

DD: We hope you enjoy it!

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan felt his heart clench as he watched Kaiba step up onto the ledge.

/What the hell is he doing?!/ Tristan resisted the urge to run up to him and haul him down. /He's not…he's not going to JUMP, is he?/

"What the hell is he doing?" Joey's voice echoed Tristan's thoughts.

{I won't lose! I can't! Mokuba…}

Tristan nearly jumped out of his skin. He could have sworn he just heard Kaiba. Like the other brunet was in his head.

"Tristan!" Tea's voice was like nails on slate. "Are you paying attention? Yugi needs our support!"

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Don't start."

"Well, you haven't taken your eyes off Kaiba. You should be paying more attention to Yugi!"

"Why don't you just shut the fuck up?" Tristan growled quietly.

"What did you say?!"

"Nothing." Tristan turned his attention back to the duel, his eyes locked once more on Kaiba.

He saw Kaiba's gaze flash over the group of them as Joey said something. Their eyes locked and Tristan's widened. He was suddenly assaulted by images of Mokuba. They came at him so fast, so strong, that he couldn't sort them out.

Then it dawned on him why Kaiba was taking such a chance.

/Kaiba! No!/ Tristan took a step forward.

Seto's eyes widened, flicking back to the group of Yugi's friends, seeing the intense look on Tristan's face. He could have sworn he just heard Tristan. Like the other brunet was in his head.

{What the hell?!}

/Kaiba! Please..!/

Seto shook his head, turning his attention quickly back to the duel. The stress must be getting to him.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto forced the trembling from his hands as the helicopter lifted from the ground.

The relief that had swept through him when he had seen Mokuba with Yugi and his friends was almost overwhelming. When the younger Kaiba had begged for the others to be allowed to return to the mainland with them, he hadn't been able to say no.

He clenched his teeth, hearing the bimbo that always tagged along after Yugi spouting off in the rear of the chopper. He caught the look on Tristan's face from the corner of his eye and bit back a smile. He could tell the tallest of the friends was just as unimpressed as he was.

Tristan looked over at Seto from his spot in the passenger seat, a small smile gracing his angular features as Mokuba, in his lap, yawned hugely and cuddled against his chest.

He stroked the shaggy hair, shaking his head. "Thanks, Kaiba. I don't know how we would have gotten back if you didn't take us."

"You saved my brother." Seto said quietly, not meeting the other's eyes. "It's the least I could do."

Tristan's reply was drowned out by a shout of laughter from Joey. Tristan turned around, an eyebrow raised.

"Nothing." Joey snickered. "Just Ryou being funny."

"Come here, Yugi." Tea said, holding out her arms. "You look tired. You can sit in my lap."

A small shudder passed through the diminutive teen. "Ummm…no. That's okay."

"Here, Yug." Joey pulled Yugi into his lap. "Go to sleep."

Yugi sighed happily, cuddling into Joey and closing his eyes. Tristan caught the look on Tea's face and a chuckle escaped him. She glared at him, opening her mouth to speak.

Tristan turned away. /Fuck you, bitch./

Seto, hearing it, but thinking the other brunet had said it out loud, snickered.

Tristan looked over at him, surprised. "So you DO know how to laugh."

Seto scowled at him and turned his attention back to flying. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his little brother sound asleep in Tristan's lap, one hand clutching the brunet's shirt. Tristan's eyes slipped closed and he rested his head back against the seat, still stroking Mokuba's hair.

{He seems to care an awful lot about Mokuba. They all do. Even the twit. Gods, that girl gets on my nerves.} Truth be told, the main reason Seto rejected the other's overtures at friendship was because of her. {Maybe while everyone's asleep, I can dump her out of the chopper.}

He entertained himself with that thought for a while and then suddenly became aware of how quiet it had gotten. He looked over at Tristan again, seeing that he was asleep. Turning slightly, he looked in the back. Tea was leaning against the bulkhead, her head pillowed on her jacket, also asleep.

His gaze went to the other three. Ryou was slumbering with his head against Joey's shoulder and Yugi was curled up in Joey's arms, his head resting against the blond's chest.

{He looks so innocent. Like Mokuba. But there's times when he's different, like he's a different person.} Seto frowned. {When he dueled me the first time, I swear he changed. His voice was deeper, and he looked taller. I was too far away to tell for sure, but his eyes looked a different color. But on top of Pegasus' castle, I could see for certain. That wasn't Yugi I was facing.}

A loud snore ripped through the quiet and Seto's attention was captured by Joey. The blond's head was back and his mouth wide open. The noise was coming from him.

{He can't even be quiet when he's asleep.} Seto shook his head. His interest was caught once more by Yugi as the small duelist shifted in Joey's lap. {Why is it that I even care enough to look at him twice? He's a rival…competition…nothing more.}

He suddenly realized that Yugi was awake, staring at him with those huge, amethyst eyes. Seto was about to turn away when Yugi smiled sweetly at him and closed his eyes again, burrowing further into Joey's loose embrace.

{Forget it. I don't need friends. Or anything else. Now that I've got my brother back, it's time to get on with our lives. I have a company to run. I don't have time for this nonsense.} Something in Seto's heart, the one he thought he didn't possess, twisted. {Though it would be nice to hold someone that way…someone besides Mokuba. And I wonder how it feels…to be held like that?}

Seto mentally shook himself and turned back around, bringing the helicopter up to a higher altitude, setting it on autopilot and leaning back in the chair.

{What happened during that duel?} Seto glanced at Tristan. {I swore I heard him.}

He didn't know what it was about the other brunet, but he had always been aware of him on some level. There was something about him that drew Seto. Though he'd never admit it out loud, he respected the other brunet's quiet fortitude, the way he was always there, a comfortable presence, for his friends. The respect was enough that he was the only one of the group besides Yugi that Seto called by his first name.

"How much longer `til we get home?"

Seto was startled from his thoughts by Tristan's quiet voice. "About an hour."

"Oh…sorry for falling asleep on you."

"I didn't ask you to stay awake."

"Well, everyone else is asleep." Tristan looked down at Mokuba with a smile. "I know you're tired too. I'll keep you company."

"I'm not tired…"

"Come on, Kaiba." Tristan looked directly at the other brunet. "Everyone else is asleep. You don't have to keep the tough guy act up with me."

"Listen, Tristan," Seto growled. "First of all, it's NOT an act. And second, I don't need your company."

"Yeah, whatever." Tristan rolled his eyes. "But you've got it."

"I don't need it. I'm trying to fly here."

Tristan rolled his eyes again. "If you're so worried about flying, why is it on autopilot?"

Seto looked at the other brunet. "You know about helicopters?"

"Yeah. My Dad was a pilot in the military."

"He doesn't fly anymore?" Seto's curiosity got the better of him.

"Not for the last few years." Tristan shook his head. "He got promoted. Special Ops."

Seto detected the bitterness in the other's voice and frowned. "That's a bad thing?"

"He's never home. Neither is my mom. She's always out of the country on business."

"Hmm." Seto knew where the other was coming from. "So you're alone a lot."

"Yeah." Tristan sighed. "I've gotten used to it though."

{Why am I even talking to him about his personal life?} "For what it's worth, I understand."

"I suppose you would. But at least you've got Mokuba." Tristan glanced down at the sleeping boy. "If it wasn't for my friends, I'd be completely alone."

Seto smirked. "Even Gardner?"

Tristan shuddered. "She's a necessary evil."

"Oh, really?" Seto bit back the urge to laugh.

"Yugi's not the type to tell her to take a hike." Tristan said, sighing. "And if he's willing to put up with her asinine friendship speeches, it's not my place to say anything."

"Hmm…" Seto checked the controls and turned back to Tristan. "I meant what I said earlier."

"Huh?"

"You saved Mokuba. I'm…grateful."

Tristan raised an eyebrow at that.

"You got him out of that cell. He didn't wake up alone." There was a vulnerability in the sapphire eyes the young CEO wasn't aware was showing. "Thank you."

"There, now. Was that so hard?"

"Excuse me?"

"You actually said "thank you" to someone who you've always considered beneath you."

"I've never thought you were beneath me, Tristan." Seto said quietly. He wasn't even aware of the fact that he was opening up to the other brunet more than he'd opened up to anyone since his parents had died. "I actually have a lot of respect for you."

"Yeah, right." Tristan's tone indicated he didn't believe Seto at all.

"No. I mean it."

"Okay, Kaiba. If you say so."

{He doesn't believe me. Well…why should he? I treat his friends like dirt. Why wouldn't he think I feel the same way about him?}

"Big brother?" Mokuba stirred, lifting his head from Tristan's chest. "Are we home yet?"

"Soon, Mokuba."

"Have a good nap, little guy?" Tristan asked, smiling at the younger Kaiba.

"I'm still tired." Mokuba said. "I can't wait to get home and sleep in my own bed."

"I hear ya." Tristan grinned. "Feels like I've been sleeping on the ground for months."

"Seto? Can Yugi and everyone stay at our place tonight?"

"I don't think so, Mokuba." Tristan said before Seto could answer. "I know Yugi's anxious to get to the hospital and see if his grandfather's okay. Besides, it's almost morning anyway."

"Well, why don't you stay?"

"I can't. I have to go to the hospital too. Thanks for the offer though." Tristan ruffled the boy's hair.

Mokuba pouted, looking up at Tristan with big eyes. "Okay…I guess."

Seto said nothing, staring silently out through the helicopter windshield until his brother fell asleep again. A small sigh escaped him and he reached over, placing a hand on the boy's head. He met Tristan's eyes, surprised to see warmth there. It was like Tristan knew what he was feeling.

"He's all I have." Seto said quietly, unsure of why he was making such a confession to the other.

Tristan nodded. "I understand. He's the most important thing in your life. Everything you've ever done has been for him. Even locking yourself away from the world."

The observation made Seto uncomfortable. Because it was true. "I had no choice."

"Hey, you don't have to get snarky." Tristan said, hearing the defensiveness in the other's tone. "I didn't say it like it was a bad thing."

"Is there someone in the hospital besides Yugi's grandfather that you have to see?" Seto asked, needing to change the subject.

"Yeah." A sad sigh came from the shorter brunet. "My grandmother's there. I think…I think she's dying."

Seto thought he saw tears in Tristan's eyes and, again, his heart twisted. "I'm sorry."

"So am I." Tristan looked down at Mokuba, not really seeing him. "She's the only one in my family that seems to care about me. Well…at least since my grandfather died a few years ago."

Seto didn't know what to say. He felt an alien need to comfort the one sitting next to him. He reached out and placed his hand on Tristan's shoulder, squeezing gently.

Tristan looked up, surprised, and met sympathetic azure eyes. "Th-thanks, Kaiba."

Seto shrugged and turned to the controls again, disengaging the autopilot. The lights of the city were coming into view.

They would be home soon.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan and Joey smiled at each other as Yugi threw himself at his grandfather, laughing happily.

Joey looked at Tea, seeing her wiping a tear from her eye. He looked over at Tristan, shaking his head. Tristan rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to Yugi; leaving Joey's side and walking up to the hugging pair.

"Glad to see you're better, Mr. Motou." Tristan said, smiling down at the old man.

"I never had any doubts." Solomon said, ruffling Yugi's hair.

"Tristan?" Yugi looked up at his tall friend, his innocent eyes shining with happy tears. "Are you going to come over?"

"I have to go see my grandmother." Tristan said quietly. "I promised her I would as soon as I got back."

"You can always come back and see her." Tea said, approaching the group with Joey. "We should be celebrating. You don't want to be spending all day in this dreary hospital, do you?"

Tristan rounded on her. "Listen, Tea. I haven't seen her in since Mr. Motou came here."

"Back off, Tea." Joey grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back, seeing the murderous look in Tristan's eyes. He knew his friend didn't like Tea, and her thoughtless remark could very well earn her a smack from the tall brunet. "If Tristan wants to spend time with his grandmother, I'm sure Yugi understands."

"Of course!" Yugi piped up, wanting to avoid a fight. "Do you want us to come with you, Tristan?"

"No thanks, little guy." Tristan shook his head. "Take your grandfather home." /And take this bitch with you before I kill her./

"Can I come?" Joey asked, looking at Tristan with pleading eyes.

"Sure, bud." Tristan smiled at the blond. Joey loved his grandmother, and she, him. She was the closest thing to a parental figure the amber eyed teen had. "She'd love to see you."

"You boys go on." Solomon said. "Perhaps you can stop by on your way back. Tell your grandmother I said hello, Tristan."

"I will." Tristan suddenly found himself with Yugi attached to his waist. He bent and hugged the smaller boy back. "We'll stop on the way back, Yugi."

"Okay." Yugi gave Tristan one last squeeze and let go.

Tristan and Joey said goodbye to everyone, Tristan pointedly ignoring Tea. When the others left, the two friends headed to a different wing of the hospital, knowing their way by long experience.

"What's up with you and Tea?" Joey asked, striding along next to Tristan, his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Come on, Joey. Tell me you're not sick of her." Tristan replied. "If I had to listen to her brainlessness for another second, I think I would have lost my temper. She's a bitch. I don't know why Yugi wants to hang around her. Besides, she made it pretty clear she barely tolerates me."

"I don't know about that, Tris. I mean, she considers you a friend."

Tristan stopped dead in his tracks, looking Joey in the eye. "No, she doesn't. After I told you guys I was gay, she showed up at my house and told me she thought I should stay away from Yugi because of it."

"You're kidding me!"

Tristan shook his head. "Whatever you do, don't tell her you're bi, Joey. She'll only start in on you too."

"No one knows except you." Joey flushed. "I haven't even told Yugi. Don't…don't tell anyone, okay?"

"I'd never tell anyone." Tristan reached out and gripped the blond's shoulder. "You told me that in confidence, Joey. I'd never tell anyone your secrets."

"Thanks, Tris." Joey smiled up at Tristan.

Tristan felt his heart melt at the sight of the happy look of Joey's face. It hadn't been all that long ago that he thought he'd never see it again. Joey was doing so well after his battle with cocaine addiction. Though living in a house were drugs were left lying around like spare change didn't help.

It had been harder on Tristan than it had been on the rest of their friends, watching Joey go through that. It sure as hell didn't help when you were in love with your best friend.

"Earth to Tristan? You there?"

"Sorry." Tristan's eyes focused on Joey's face again. "Joey…I think maybe you should stay at my place for a while. Your dad…"

Joey nodded. "I don't…I don't think I could handle it if he came at me again." Joey pushed aside his bangs, rubbing the healing cut on his forehead. "I kinda need some time to heal up first." He finished in a whisper.

"Oh, Joey." Tristan's voice was pained as he reached for the blond.

Joey let himself be gently hugged for a minute before pulling away, that almost convincing, goofy grin adorning his lips. "Hey. S'ok, Tris. I can handle it."

Tristan nodded, reluctantly stepping away and continuing down the hall. He watched Joey out of the corner of his eye as they began their familiar journey again.

/I could kill that son of a bitch. Who is he to lay his hands on you? He's supposed to be your father. You're his son, not his punching bag. I just wish I could do more to protect you from him./

His thoughts were arrested as they made it to their destination. He noticed Joey tugging at his bangs, making sure the long, blond strands covered the cut on his forehead. He gave Joey a weak smile and pushed open the door.

~*~*~*~*~

"I'm glad that's over." Yugi dropped down on his bed, throwing his arm over his eyes.

"You should get some sleep, Aibou." Yami's ethereal form appeared, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Joey and Tristan will be stopping on their way home from the hospital."

"At least Tea took the hint and went home." Yugi sighed.

"I don't know why you put up with her, little one."

Yugi lifted his arm and looked at the spirit. "She's my friend, Yami."

Yami raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He had his own ideas about why the irritating girl tagged along after his other half. He lifted a ghostly hand, reaching out and stroking Yugi's cheek.

Yugi shivered. He didn't feel Yami's hand, just a chill, like a cold breeze passing over his face. His eyes widened at the tender look on his dark's face.

"Sleep, my light. Grandpa is safe and resting in his own room. I will watch over you."

Yugi nodded, his eyes slipping closed. It felt so good knowing Yami would always be there to keep him safe. The only thing that made him uncomfortable was his growing feelings for the spirit of the Puzzle.

His friends didn't know about Yami. He was afraid they'd equate him to the spirit in Ryou's Item, thinking he was evil. He was only now facing the fact that he had feelings for Yami. He didn't think they'd understand. And he was sure Yami didn't return his sentiments.

Even if he did, how could they be together? Yami was trapped inside the Puzzle, unable to even move in the real world unless he took possession of Yugi's body.

A single tear slipped down Yugi's pale cheek as he dropped into an exhausted sleep.

[[Oh, my little light…]] Yami's heart broke at the sight. [[If only I could tell you how much you really mean to me. How much I want to be with you. How deeply I've come to love you.]]

A sigh escaped the ancient spirit as he settled in for his vigil.

~*~*~*~*~

Miriam Cole's return to consciousness was marked by the feeling of two strong hands holding hers.

She opened her eyes, seeing her grandson sitting next to her. She smiled up into his handsome face and weakly turned her head, seeing Joey sitting on the other side of her bed, the sunlight coming through the window striking his golden hair and making it seem to glow, like a halo surround his head.

"Such a beautiful sight to open my old eyes to." She smiled at the blond.

Joey flushed slightly, grinning. "You're looking pretty beautiful yourself, Nana."

"How are you feeling, Nana?" Tristan asked.

"Much better, now that you two are here." Miriam smiled at her grandson. "You know, I'm envied by all the other female patients in this hospital that I have two such handsome men visiting me every day."

Tristan smiled. "Hmm…has Mr. Davidson been hitting on you while I was away? I'm really going to have to have a talk to him."

"Oh, I sent him packing." The old lady replied. "He was too old for me anyway."

Tristan and Joey laughed. No matter how sick she got, Tristan's grandmother always maintained a sunny outlook, greeting everyone who came to see her with a smile and a jest, charming anyone who came within ten feet of her.

"How did the tournament go?" She asked.

"Yugi won and Joey came in second." Tristan said, not really wanting to go into detail about what had happened. "Yugi gave the prize money to Joey for his sister's operation."

"So you'll be able to save your sister's sight after all." Miriam said to Joey. "She's very lucky to have a brother like you."

"I couldn't have done it without Tristan's support." Joey said, smiling across the bed at his friend. "At one point, I was ready to give up, but he reminded me why I was there and what I was fighting for."

"You're both lucky to have each other." Miriam stated, looking at Tristan pointedly.

Tristan flushed, looking away. /Gods, she doesn't know how I feel about Joey, does she? Damn! She knows frigging EVERYTHING!/

"Joey, my angel, could you please go get me some fresh water?" Miriam asked.

"Sure thing, Nana." Joey stood and grabbed the plastic jug off the bedside table.

"He's such a wonderful boy." Miriam said as Joey left the room, turning that penetrating gaze on her grandson again. "You do realize that, don't you, Tristan?"

"Nana…"

"You don't need to tell me." She interrupted. "I can see it in your eyes. There's no shame in it. True love is true love. I've always wanted that for you. Just because you've fallen in love with Joey doesn't mean it's wrong."

Tristan hung his head. "I can't tell him. I don't want to lose him as a friend."

"Tristan, you've loved Joey since you were children. I've always known how you feel about him. So did your grandfather."

"I do love him, Nana." Tristan whispered, still not looking up.

"You're very lucky, my boy. Love like that comes along rarely. I loved your grandfather that way. I still do." She reached out, feebly gasping Tristan's arm. "You should tell him how you feel. Don't let the opportunity pass."

"I want to. But I'm afraid. What if he doesn't feel the same way?"

"A time will come, Tristan, when you can't stand it any longer. When you'll NEED to tell him. It's a chance you'll have to take."

Tristan was still looking at the floor, mulling over her words when he felt her grip loosen. He looked up, finding her asleep.

Joey came back into the room, a small smile crossing his face when he saw the woman slumbering. He set the pitcher of water down. "We should go and let her sleep."

Standing, Tristan bent and gently kissed her wrinkled cheek. "We'll see you tomorrow, Nana." He said softly.

They left, silently closing the door behind them.

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: Please tell me you're not going to start this story off with my grandmother dying.

YD: Well, it has to happen.

DD: Don't worry, hun, it won't be so bad.

YD: No. We have worse things planned.

Tris: Frigging great!