Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ Chapter9 ( Chapter 9 )

Stronger Than Before

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, we'd be rich. But we don't, so we're not.

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, leave now! Don't bother flaming us, because we'll just laugh at you.

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

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

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

`yak yak' (Artificial Intelligence) Sadie's voice

~*~*~*~*~

YD: Sorry for the long wait on this chapter everyone.

DD: Yeah, we were hoping to have it done a couple of days ago, but…

Seto: But they've been getting ready for their new "roomie".

Joey: *smacks Seto* You just can't keep your big mouth shut, can you?

Tristan: But hey! It's kinda exciting. I mean, what with her moving up and all.

Yugi: You need a smack too, don't you?

DD: *sighs* Forget it. Let's just get on with the story.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto looked up from his laptop as the office door opened. Yugi strode into the room, eyes flashing and a paper clutched in his hand.

"What's wrong?"

"We have a leak at the house." Yugi threw the paper down on the desk.

"What?!" Seto picked up the paper and growled in frustration.

Him and Tristan…kissing…in the maze. Seto's eyes narrowed. That noise he had heard…it was a camera.

"Damn it!" Seto turned to Yugi and pulled him into his lap. "This was taken yesterday…just before Tristan left."

"I figured." Yugi snuggled into his husband's arms. "We have to find out who did it. And tell Tristan."

Seto sighed. "Our home was the only place where we had any privacy. And now this…"

"It's okay, love. We'll find out who did it. I think we can safely rule out Odette and Stevens."

"Yeah." Seto hugged Yugi tightly for a long moment before tipping him from his lap, standing. "Let's go find Tristan and break this to him."

They left Seto's office and took the private elevator down to the next floor. They walked down the corridor to Tristan's office, barely controlled rage visible in Seto's tense stride.

"I'm sorry Mr. Kaiba," Teddy spoke up as Seto and Yugi passed by his desk. "But Tristan isn't in today."

"What?!" Seto whirled on the hapless secretary.

"Seto." Yugi place a calming hand on his husband's arm. "Where is he, Teddy?"

"He's gone out to the retreat. He left yesterday." Teddy avoided the CEO's gaze, turning his attention to Yugi. "Um, is he okay? Except for the one email, I haven't heard from him since I found him in the alley."

"He'll be fine, Teddy." Yugi replied, not sure how much he should reveal. "I think he just needed a break."

The secretary looked skeptical, but it wasn't his place to question further. "Well, if you're talking to him, tell him I can handle everything. He does need a break."

"I'll do that." Yugi smiled at the man, taking Seto's hand and dragging him back down the hallway before he could say anything.

They made their way back to Seto's office in silence, Yugi stopping to tell his secretary to hold his calls for the time being.

Closing the door behind them, they settled down on the couch together before a word was spoken.

"Why wouldn't he tell me he was leaving the city?" Seto pulled Yugi close, worry evident in his voice.

"Maybe he wanted to be alone. Or maybe he felt he needed to leave so we could talk without distractions."

"He told me he would leave if he had to…if you and I couldn't…" Seto's breath caught and Yugi looked up, surprised to see tears in the brunet's eyes.

"Oh, Seto." Yugi wrapped his arms around the other's neck and reached up to kiss him. "He hasn't left for good. Don't think that."

"It's just that…" Seto buried his face in Yugi's hair with a sigh. "If he does…I can't…"

Yugi pulled back, shocked to see his normally stoic, collected husband becoming an emotional mess. He stroked his hand through Seto's hair, saying nothing…what could he say? Seto would realize soon enough that his fears were groundless. In the meantime, Yugi just offered him quiet comfort.

"I'm sorry." Seto whispered, not looking at the smaller man. "I'm just…worried about him. And Joey…we haven't heard anything. It's like he's dropped off the planet."

"You don't think anything bad's happened to him, do you, Seto?" Yugi asked, equally quiet.

"I doubt it, baby. Joey practically lived on the streets most of his life. If anyone could survive, it would be him."

"I really miss him." Yugi laid his head against Seto's chest. "It seems he's been gone longer than a couple of days."

"I know. I miss him too." Seto admitted.

"I have an idea. Why don't I go out to the retreat and talk to Tristan?"

"Why you? It should be me."

"But don't you think Tristan would like to know everything's okay? From the horse's mouth, as it were."

Seto chuckled, kissing the top of Yugi's head. "Horse's mouth, huh? I think you just want an excuse to go riding."

Yugi looked up, properly indignant, before laughing. "Well, that too."

"I think it's a good idea."

"I think I'll pack a bag and stay overnight with him." Yugi smiled, standing. "It'll give you and Yami some alone time."

"Sounds good, baby." Seto accepted Yugi's brief kiss as he headed for the door. "Come see me before you leave, okay?"

"Will do." Yugi flashed Seto a quick grin before the door closed behind him.

~*~*~*~*~

"Joe, you should eat."

"Not hungry." Joey was lying on the couch, channel surfing.

Keith began to protest when he realized that Joey was still half tanked, so it would be useless. He watched as the younger man put down the remote and began absently rubbing the needle marks on his arm. He knew Joey would be asking for another hit soon, the last one came before he was even down from his first try.

Keith smirked. Joey really enjoyed himself last night. Well, if it kept him happy and content, Keith wasn't going to complain. If he was happy here, he'd stay off the streets and Kaiba's people would never find him.

"Keith?" Joey looked up at him, his face pale and dotted with sweat. "I don't feel so good."

"You're coming down." Keith walked over and perched on the edge of the couch. "Can I get you anything?"

Joey reached out a shaking hand and laced his fingers with Keith's, gripping weakly. He shook his head, wanting to ask, but afraid to. The drugs helped him forget. They took him to a place where everything that hurt was gone. The fear of what Yugi and his other friends would do to him when they found out where he was a non issue. He could forget how much he missed Tristan, how much he still loved him and how much he wanted to go home.

"Maybe if you ate you'd feel better."

"Maybe." Joey replied, though he seriously doubted it. Coming down from the heroin was ten times worse than the withdrawal cocaine gave him.

"Joe…" Keith felt a flash of anger at the blond. "You have to eat."

"I don't wanna." Joey pulled his hand out of Keith's and his eyes narrowed. "I said I wasn't hungry. Get off it already!"

The older man's face flushed as his temper flared. He grasped one of Joey's shoulders in a painful grip and his other hand flashed out to make contact with Joey's face. "Don't be so fucking pathetic!"

"Keith, don't!" Joey raised his hands defensively as Keith brought his hand up again. "Don't!"

Keith's fingers dug into Joey's shoulder. "If you weren't such an idiot, I wouldn't get so mad!"

"I'm sorry! Please, you're hurting me!"

Keith let go and stood up, backing away. "Joe…I'm sorry! I didn't mean to…I just lost my temper."

Joey rubbed his shoulder, staring at the other blond in shock. [He hit me! Keith hit me! But…but he said he didn't mean to. He apologized.] Joey tried to forget the fact that Keith had hurt him before and apologized, only to do it again. His father had been like that. [No! He's not like my father…Keith loves me!]

Keith dropped to his knees next to the couch, holding out his hands to Joey. "Joe, please…I'm sorry."

"I didn't mean to make you mad." Joey took his hands and pressed them to his lips. "I'm the one who should be sorry."

"I'll make it up to you, Joe. I swear." Keith removed his hands from Joey's and reached out to caress the red mark on his face. "Do you want more?"

Joey looked to where Keith was gesturing at the package of syringes on the coffee table. "Yeah."

~*~*~*~*~

Master Kiotou sat in the back room of his shop, meditating. He had been troubled when Seto Kaiba's people had come to him asking about Joey's whereabouts.

He breathed in the incense laden air deeply and centered himself, reaching out for the shape-non-shape of his young friend's true Self. He wasn't prepared for what he saw.

It was the same river that he had seen in his dreams before. Tristan was standing on one side, Seto holding his hand tightly as Tristan reached out with the other, calling out to Joey, who stood on the opposite bank, also trying to reach out. At least, it was Joey as Master Kiotou had known him, his form shifting and ethereal. Also standing on that side was another Joey, dressed as the old man had never seen him in a pair of tight black leather pants and boots, naked from the waist up except for a wide black leather band around one wrist and his golden hair tied back in a ponytail. This Joey was being held to the chest of a large man whose face was in shadow.

The man held Joey against him, a knife pressed to his back, tracing lines in the smooth flesh that ran blood. In his other hand, the man held a needle, which he slipped into Joey arm. Joey smiled happily and laughed as the Joey reaching out to Tristan flickered and faded completely.

A scream pierced the air and suddenly Yami was standing on the same side of the river as Tristan, holding a struggling Yugi who was trying to get to Joey.

Try as he might, the elder couldn't pierce the shadow surrounding the man who held the Joey that was to be. He felt his heart crack painfully as Yugi collapsed against his dark sobbing.

A twisting darkness surrounded Tristan and he broke away from Seto, throwing himself into the river. Seto fought through the darkness and went into the river after his friend, pulling him back to the bank. The old man watched, horrified, as blood began to seep from Tristan's body and he stopped breathing. Yugi's sobbing grew louder, his tears flowing to match Seto's as Yami held his light tightly, shaking his head in disbelief.

Everything started to fade as dark, twisted laughter came from the shrouded figure and Joey gazed up adoringly at him.

~*~*~*~*~

"Master Yugi." Thomas greeted his employer's husband. "We weren't expecting you."

"Sorry I didn't call ahead. I came out to see Tristan."

"Certainly." The butler relieved Yugi of his overnight bag. "I believe he's out in the stable. Shall I put you in the room next to his?"

"That'd be great." Yugi smiled. "I'll be heading back in the morning."

"Very well, sir."

Yugi turned around and headed back outside, making his way to the stable. Inside, he stopped in front of a stall half way up the barn and opened the door, slipping inside and greeting the occupant.

"Hello, Sultan." Yugi ran his hand over the neck of the large, black Arab. "Did you miss me?"

The horse nickered gently and immediately began rooting at Yugi's pockets.

"And what makes you think I have anything for you?" Yugi laughed, digging a hand into his front pocket and pulling out a peppermint. "Maybe because I always do?"

He giggled as the big gelding swiped the candy and began looking for more. "Oh, no you don't. I haven't got any more."

He gave the horse one last pat, promising the animal that he'd take him out later, and left the stall, heading for the loft apartment where he was sure he'd find Tristan with Shiner.

His assumption was right. He found the two men sitting companionably, talking.

"Hey, Shiner!"

"Yugi! What brings you out here?"

"I came to see Tristan, actually."

"You did?" Tristan looked a little nervous, like he was expecting Yugi to fly off the handle and belt him again.

"Yep. Seto and I thought I should be the one." He sent Tristan a meaningful look.

"Oh, okay." Tristan stood, putting down the bottle he was holding. "Thanks for the beer, Shiner."

"No problem, man. I can saddle up a couple of horses if you want to go for a ride."

"Maybe later, thanks." Yugi replied, smiling at the short Mexican and leading the way back down into the stable.

They walked to the house in silence, Tristan growing more nervous with each step.

/Damn Seto for teaching Yugi that poker face. I used to be able to tell what he was thinking just by looking at him./

"Why don't we go out on the veranda?" Yugi broke the quiet as they entered the house. "Actually, why don't you head out and I'll get us something to drink. Coffee?"

"Sure. That's fine."

/Well, he doesn't seem that pissed anymore./ Tristan sat down on the bench, staring at the ocean, and pulled Joey's ring from his shirt. /Why did I walk out? He's never lied to me. If he said he couldn't remember I should have believed him. He was scared. I could see that. If only I had listened. And now he's gone…just disappeared. Oh, Joey…where are you? Please be okay. I want you to come home./

The first thing Yugi noticed as he came outside was the ring. The second was the fact that Tristan didn't seem aware of his surroundings. He set the coffee cup on the table next to the bench and sat next to Tristan. He frowned when Tristan didn't react.

"Tristan?" Yugi's frown deepened when he didn't receive an answer. "Hey, Tristan!"

When he still didn't get a response, Yugi dug an ice cube out of his drink and dropped it down the back of the brunet's shirt.

Tristan dropped the ring and jumped up from the bench with a yelp. "Very funny, Yugi!"

Yugi grinned. "Well, you didn't answer me when I spoke to you."

"And I know how much you hate being ignored." Tristan rolled his eyes and sat back down, accepting the cup Yugi handed him.

"Where were you?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you weren't here, that's for sure."

"Sorry." Tristan avoided his eyes, instead pulling out his cigarettes to have an excuse to occupy himself. "I was just thinking."

Yugi looked skeptical, but decided not to say anything. Putting down his drink, he turned his full attention to his friend. "Seto and I talked."

"Yugi, I just…"

"No." Yugi stopped him with a hand on his arm. "You don't have to explain yourself or apologize to me. I understand."

"You do?"

"Mm-hm." Yugi nodded and then went on to explain everything he had talked to Yami and Seto about. "I don't know why I didn't see it before. I guess I was just hurt that you slept together."

"Yugi," Tristan threw his arm around the smaller man's shoulders. "We never meant for that to happen."

"I know." Yugi reached up and put his arms around Tristan's neck, hugging him. "It's over. Let's just put it behind us, okay?"

"I'd like that."

Yugi untangled himself and smiled up at Tristan. "I thought I'd spend the night. We don't get to spend a lot of time together."

"That sounds good." Tristan stood. "Why don't we go for a ride?"

"Yeah! I promised Sultan I'd take him out."

Tristan snickered, thinking to himself that Yugi looked like a fly on the side of a skyscraper on that huge gelding.

"I know what you're thinking." Yugi mock-scowled. "He's the best horse in the barn. Don't give me attitude."

Tristan laughed outright, leading the way off the veranda. "Wouldn't dream of it."

~*~*~*~*~

Seto stared at the men standing in front of his desk, shifting uncomfortable under the famous Kaiba Glare.

"There's still no sign of him, sir."

"It's been a month. You mean to tell me that you're so incompetent that you haven't found a single sign of him?"

"We've been knocking on doors all over Domino. The only thing we've been able to determine is that Mr. Wheeler never left the city."

"You went out there with that information!" Seto shouted, rising to his feet. "Get the hell out of here and don't come back until you've found him!!"

Seto waited until the door shut behind them before collapsing back into his chair.

{Damn it! Where is he!!} The CEO dropped his head into his hands with a sigh. {Tristan's completely losing it. I know he's not sleeping, and his work is starting to suffer. How many times in the last few weeks have I gotten here to find out he spent the whole night working? I've lost track.}

Seto looked at his watch. He had some time before he had to meet with the head of R&D. Getting up from his desk, he decided he'd go see Tristan and make sure he went home tonight.

~*~*~*~*~

"What the fuck was that for?!" Tristan yelled, rubbing his cheek.

"I've been standing here talking to you for about five minutes and you didn't answer me!" Bakura shouted back.

Hazel and chocolate locked in an angry battle until Bakura broke the gaze to look at the ring resting against Tristan's chest.

When he had walked in, Tristan had been staring blankly at the computer screen, turning the ring between his fingers. Bakura had spoken to him and he didn't answer. After failing to get his attention with words, the white haired man had finally just laid off and smacked him.

Tristan shook his head as if to clear it. "Sorry, man. I've just got a lot on my mind."

Bakura snorted and was about to reply when the door opened and Seto walked in. Taking in Bakura's angry stance and the red handprint on Tristan's face, he stopped.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing." Bakura replied shortly, dropping into a chair in front of Tristan's desk.

Tristan just rolled his eyes as Seto took the chair next to Bakura, crossing his legs. "Well, do you have anything for us then?"

"Yeah. She's been meeting with Becket."

"That's not surprising." Tristan commented. "I figure he had this planned for a while. And that he had been gathering the pictures for some time."

"The guy who took the picture at the mansion…the one Yami had hired as the new gardener…he was her cousin." Seto said.

"I've been doing some background research on her." Bakura pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. "There's not much on her, but what I found…I'm surprised neither of you made the connection."

"What connection?" Tristan reached over and took the paper from Bakura. "Adams Industries? That doesn't mean anything to me."

"It wouldn't. It was before your time."

"Why does that sound familiar?" Seto asked.

"Because, idiot…just after you took over Kaiba Corp. you initiated a hostile take over of that company."

"Oh, yeah. I remember now. The owner of the company ended up killing himself."

"Because of you."

"That bull, Bakura! Gods! You make it sound like I loaded the gun for him! It was business! His company was on its last legs when I bought up all the shares."

"But that's not how she sees it." Bakura pointed out.

"Okay, you've lost me." Tristan interrupted. "What has she got to do with that?"

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Adams Industries…Rita Adams? He was her husband!"

"Oh, fuck." Tristan whispered.

"Exactly." Bakura said dryly. "She blames Seto for her husband's death. I think she was giving the orders to whoever it was that attacked you."

"What makes you say that?" Seto asked.

"Tristan's your support. Both in and out of the company. Get rid of Tristan…" Bakura let the thought hang.

Seto shuddered, looking at Tristan. It was something he didn't even want to contemplate.

"Where do you want me to go from here?" Bakura asked, turning his full attention to Tristan.

Tristan rubbed his forehead, thinking. "Um…keep tracking her. Find out who she's got working for her. And see if you can find out if she went to Becket or the other way around."

"Sounds good." Bakura stood up. "I've gotta go pick up Ryou."

"Thanks, Bakura." Seto smiled. "Tristan was right. You're the prefect person for this job."

Bakura smirked. "Beats working at that Ra forsaken museum."

When Bakura left, Seto turned to Tristan, his expression serious. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." Tristan looked confused. "Why?"

"Don't lie to me, buddy. You look like shit. You haven't been sleeping and I know you're not eating. I haven't seen you this skinny since high school."

"So I've lost a little weight…so what."

Seto shook his head, standing up and going around there desk. He held out his arms to Tristan. "Here."

Tristan stood up and went to him, sighing as he felt Seto's arms close around him. He had been avoiding much physical contact with Seto, not wanting to upset Yugi. Even going so far as to pull away when Seto tried to hug him. He had missed it.

"Tris, I know you're not okay."

"I miss him." Tristan wrapped his arms around Seto. "I can't sleep. I keep having nightmares about him. When is it going to stop hurting so much?"

"I wish I could answer that for you." Seto replied, tightening his grip as Tristan laid his head on his shoulder.

Tristan bit his lip, clenching his eyes shut against the tears. He was feeling the need for Seto again. The need to touch him, be touched by him. To have Seto hold him and kiss him, make love to him and take away his pain. He fought it back, settling instead for clinging tightly to him.

"Hey." Seto tipped Tristan's face up. "Talk to me."

When Tristan didn't answer, Seto gently stroked his fingers over his face and leaned down to kiss him softly.

Tristan pulled away, shaking his head. "Don't. We can't go there again."

"Tell me what you need."

"I can't." Tristan laid his head back on Seto's shoulder. "I won't hurt Yugi like that again."

"Well, at least you didn't pull away from him this time."

Tristan jerked at the sound of Yugi's voice. Seto tightened his arm around Tristan's waist, refusing to let him go.

"And just how long have you been standing there?" Seto looked down to see Yugi standing right next to them.

"Long enough." Yugi grinned.

Seto laughed and reached out with the arm not holding Tristan to bring Yugi into the hug. Yugi snuggled against his husband for a moment before putting an arm around Tristan. Tristan relaxed and ruffled his hand through Yugi's hair.

"Yami's waiting upstairs for you, Seto."

"I almost forgot." Seto untangled himself. "We're meeting the R&D guys about that new Egyptian VR game."

"I'm just gonna hang out until you're done." Yugi said, stretched up for a kiss which Seto more than willingly gave him.

Seto turned to Tristan, who had sat back down at his desk. "I want you out of here by five. Promise me you'll go home, get some dinner and at least try to get a good night's sleep."

"Yeah."

"Promise me, Tris."

"Okay! I promise!" Tristan rolled his eyes. "Now get the hell out of here."

Seto just gave him a look, dropped a kiss on the top of Yugi's head and left without a word.

As soon as the door shut, Yugi walked over to Tristan, pulled his chair away from his desk and crawled into his lap. Tristan stared at him, shocked, when Yugi leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before cuddling into him.

"You look like you need a cuddle."

Tristan snickered. Despite his twenty-two years, Yugi hadn't changed much and was still very physical with almost everyone…especially when he thought they were hurting.

"Thanks, Yugi." Tristan wrapped his arms around the smaller man and buried his face in the spiky hair.

"We'll find him, Tristan. I know we will."

Tristan sighed. "I hope so. I miss him so much. I just want him to come home."

"He will. Everything's going to work out." Yugi moved so he could look Tristan in the face. "I was really happy to see you hugging Seto."

"You were?"

"Yes." Yugi smacked Tristan in the chest. "He doesn't like it when you push him away. You've been distancing yourself from him, and it's making him moody. You have NO idea what that's like to live with!"

"I just didn't want to upset you." Tristan ignored Yugi's attempt at humor.

"Tristan," Yugi said in an exasperated tone. "You're not going to upset me. We've already had this discussion. If you need to be with him, be with him."

"What?!"

Yugi shrugged. "I know he loves me. And he's not going to leave me. I can only imagine what you're going through. I know if it was me, I'd want someone to be with that I knew wouldn't leave me. Someone who loves me the way Seto loves you."

Tristan's look was incredulous. "Are you giving me permission to sleep with Seto?!"

Yugi laughed, the sound echoing through the room. "What I'm saying is, if it happens, I'm okay with it. I know you're not going to jump in bed with him for the hell of it."

"I can't believe we're having this conversation."

Yugi smiled his thousand watt smile. "Well, I'm glad we are. Yami and I wanted to talk to you about it anyway. We know Seto loves us unconditionally. If he loves you too, that's okay."

Tristan shook his head. "Okay, this is just too weird."

"Tristan, I'm married to two people. Isn't that weird? Look it up. It's called polyamory."

"Polyamory?"

"Yeah. It's kinda a group marriage thing. Like I have with Yami and Seto."

"Okaaaay." Tristan looked totally lost.

"What I'm saying is, I love Yami and Seto and I know he loves Yami and me. If he loves you too, doesn't mean he loves us any less." Yugi looked earnestly into Tristan's eyes. "I'm just sorry it took me so long to figure it out."

"But…he just my friend…you and Yami…"

"More than your friend." Yugi interrupted. "I know he loves you different from the way he loves me, but he still loves you…you know that, right?"

"Yeah…I do."

"Good." Yugi slid from Tristan's lap. "Well, I'm gonna go take a walk. And you promised Seto you would leave by five."

"Umm…okay. See you later then." Tristan had a look on his face that was reminiscent of a deer caught in the headlights of a transfer truck.

Yugi snickered, giving Tristan a cheerful wave as he walked out the door.

Tristan stared at the closed door, trying to process what Yugi had just said.

"Well, that was…interesting."

He gave up trying to figure it out and turned his attention back to work, kicking himself for the promise he made to Seto. The last thing he wanted was to face that cold, silent house for an entire night.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi wandered through the small park across from the Kaiba Corp. office tower.

It was laid out in the shaped of a cross, for raked gravel paths connecting in the center where a large fountain sat. Large trees dotted the grass and wooden benches lined the paths.

Yugi walked up to the fountain, digging into his pocket and pulling out a coin. Tossing it into the water, he made a wish to see Joey again, even just so he could know his friend was alright. Yugi stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and walked around the fountain, head down, deep in thought.

//Joey, where have you been? It's been a whole month. I miss you. Tristan misses you. He misses you so much. He's coming apart, and I'm afraid of what's going to happen to him if we don't find you soon.//

Yugi's hands came out of his pockets to steady himself as he crashed into someone.

"I'm sorry! I wasn't…" Yugi looked up into familiar amber eyes. "JOEY!!"

[FUCK!] Joey staggered back as Yugi launched himself at the blond, wrapping his arms around him and nearly squeezing the breath out of him. [What am I gonna do?! How did I get here?!]

He remembered leaving Keith's apartment shortly after the older blond had gone to work. He had taken another hit to fight off the let down and quickly became restless. He hadn't been outside since the day he had left home and decided to go for a walk, stopping at the bank to withdraw some money to give to Keith. He still felt guilty for not helping out.

He had blacked out after leaving the bank, not becoming aware again until he had literally run into Yugi.

"Joey, where have you been?!" Yugi looked up at him with tears in his eyes. "We've all been so worried. We've been looking everywhere for you!"

Joey pushed Yugi away from him with a snarl. [I've gotta get out of here! I've gotta get back to Keith!]

"Joey?" Yugi stared, shocked, at his friend.

"Let me alone, Yugi. You have no right to be trying to find me."

"What are you talking about?! Tristan's worried sick about you!"

"Yeah, right. Tristan can go fuck himself."

Yugi's mouth dropped open at the vehemence in the blond's voice. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Joey carefully. He was thin, pale, and the way the light was bouncing off his eyes…

"You're high!" Yugi accused.

"That's none of your business." Joey growled. "I don't need your approval on how I live my life!"

"Joey, please…" Yugi reached out to him. "Come back with me. Let me help you."

"I don't want or need your help!" Joey yelled. "Just stay away from me. Tell Seto to stop looking for me. I don't want to be found."

"No…Joey…you're my friend, I want to help." Yugi grasped Joey's arms, wincing when the blond hissed in pain.

Joey grabbed the smaller man by the shoulders and shoved him to the ground. "I don't WANT it and I don't NEED it! And the last thing I need is your FUCKING friendship! I have everything I need! Mind your own fucking business and stay out of mine!"

Yugi sat, speechless as Joey turned and ran. He began to sob and the link flew open of its own accord, blasting amplified emotions to Yami.

He didn't notice the people staring or stopping to ask if he was alright. He just sat, rocking himself, waiting for someone to wake him up. He'd wake up in his bed with Yami and Seto lying next to him and it would all be just a bad dream.

~*~*~*~*~

Yami: What in the name of Isis was THAT?!

YD: *shrugs* It's called "Joey being an idiot".

Tristan: Where's Dragondreamer?

YD: Migraine.

Seto: That explains why this chapter is so screwed.

Joey: Screwed! I'll give ya screwed!

*fight breaks out*

Ryou: Please review. *steps out of the way*

Bakura: I'm the only one who gets to have ANYTHING to do with flames or fire…got it?

Keith: Finally! I'm back to form!

YD: *stuffs Keith in a closet* MJ, PLEASE come get him!!!