Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ To Serve and Protect ❯ Chapter 16

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

To Serve 16

In the fight scene I decided to tell Joey's side then Seto's other wise it gets confusing. So first the
fight then what Seto was doing during the fight. When Joey joins Seto obviously, the time lines
converge again.

~ * ~


When they entered the club, Joey was surprised to find that he was escorted to one of the best
dressing rooms in the stadium. He'd never even been in one.

There was a complete aid station and whorl pool, massage table, the whole works. The outer
room was elegant and comfortable; with snacks and drinks, more like a rock star's dressing room
than a broken down fighters locker room.

Seto started introducing him to people. "This is Mako. He's your cut man. And this is Kishimoto;
they're not related. He's the promoter. And Doctor Higa is here too. Just in case."

Joey blinked, Seto was treating him like a prize fighter, everything of the best. It was costing him
a fortune.

Seto draped one arm over Joey's shoulders. "Drop in the ocean. Don't even say a word. You're
worth every penny a dozen times over." Seto licked Joey's ear. "And we'll rub their noses in how
a prime fighter like you should be treated. Now smile."

Joey did better than that. He started laughing. It was light and joyful, not hysterical or maniacal.

Joey went into the inner room with his little duffel, to change into his gi. He had been wearing
the same gi for years and it was worn and frayed. He'd always secretly coveted one of the nice
gi's that some of the fighters had, but he wasn't about to waste money on one and neither of his
bosses had thought enough of him to get him a new one.

Seto followed him into the room and opened the only locker actually a small armoire "Here.
Unless that thing is lucky or something, wear this."

Seto handed Joey a suit bag. When Joey unzipped it, he found a gi. Not an ordinary gi. This one
was heavy silk, embroidered on the back with his house seal and on the breast with Seto's
personal chop.

"Seto this must have cost . . . two or three hundred dollars. I'll ruin it."

"So? I'll buy you another. You deserve the best. And you'll never fight again so . . . shut up
about it ok?"

"Sure. But I may have to fight several more times if Maeda comes up with a man. I'll owe him a
rematch."

Seto made a face. Then he got a calculating look in his eyes that made Joey worry.

"Seto, you owe me twenty four hours complete obedience and I'm callin' in . . . three of them.
You don't do anything that will get . . . you hurt. Understand me. You don't interfere with the
fight and you don't get mouthy with Maeda. Treat it like you would a polite but hostile take over
of a minor company. Understand me?"

"Yes, Master. . . I understand, Master." Seto made his voice wooden and dull.

"You are an ass. Stop that. I just don't want you getting in over my head. They'll kill us both in
an instant if they get insulted. Treat them with respect."

Seto was insulted. "Joey, I've managed to thread my way through relations with some of the most
powerful and influential men in my circle without getting cut off at the knees yet. And I started
when I was fourteen. I can handle it. Really, just relax. You take care of your end and I'll handle
the public relations. I promise I won't do anything to get either one of us killed. I remember how
you handled Honda, . . . in the cycle shop? I think I get the drift. Ok?"

Joey relaxed, reassured that Seto really could handle this. He'd almost forgotten about the cycle
shop. Evidently Seto had payed more attention than Joey had realized.

Joey settled down to rest until the fight, he watched as people, sycophants, moved around. Some
were corner men others wait persons. They were silent and seemed anxious not to disturb him.

A knock at the door made him look that way, just in time to see Tristan come in with Yugi just
behind him

"We bothering you? We can come back after the fight."

"No. Tris' I'm glad you could make it. Who else is here?"

"Hi. I'm here, but Tea wouldn't come. She didn't want to see you fight. But . . . I wanted to
support you."

"That's great, " Joey motioned to a server. " Sit down. Have a drink."

Tristan and Yugi sat, accepted drinks and then just looked at Joey.

"Well? Say something. Don't just sit there like a couple of lumps. Yugi, you looked around,
don't tell me you didn't . Who's here?"

"Just about every Yakuza Oyabun in the area is here. Maeda put out the word that his man was
going to take a debt out of your hide. You really going to fight the Beast?"

"Yes, I'm going to fight him. And I'm going to cripple him. Permanent. Who else?"

"Well, some high level society stuffed shirts, don't look real comfortable. And Tanaka-san.
Lemme see. And the Commissioner, but he really looks like he wants to book."

Joey turned to Tristan. "You see anyone important that Yugi might not know about."

Tristan shrugged. "Not really. He's just about got them all. I don't like the Commissioner being
here. If you break too many laws, you'll get into trouble."

Joey made a face. "They already pulled my shield. They want to make too big a deal out of this
they'll have to admit that I did it while in service. Some of the things I did . . . are kinda grey, if
you get my drift. So, . . . ok to do it for them. Not ok to do it for myself? They can kiss my ass."

Joey looked up as a motojimi stuck his head in the door and announced, "Ten minutes. I'd send
my friends to the seats now."

Joey nodded to him and told Tristan and Yugi he thought it was a good idea for them to go now.
Seto came in with a security guard and had him escort the two to their seats. Then he turned to
Joey.

"How you holding up. Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm really good. I never got treatment like this before. The last time I fought was the best
treatment I ever got. Usually I had to get home and patch myself up the best I could."

Seto made a sour face. "I'm rubbing their noses in that big time. You want anything just ask for
it." Seto plopped down beside Joey on the couch. "In fact I wish you would ask for something
outrageously expensive, just so I can order it for you. Just wait until I get into my box so that
bunch of stiffs behind me can hear."

"You're a real stinker. You know that, don't you."

"Sure do. I'll get you something . . . I'm not sure. . . . "

"Well, while you're thinking, take this. I don't want my ear torn."

Seto put out his hand, then did a double take. The earing Joey handed him was a match for his,
except it held a sapphire exactly the color of his eyes. Seto couldn't help it, he just grabbed Joey
and kissed the hell out of him.

When they parted Joey murmured, "All that for an earing. What do I get for . . . say . . . a
bracelet?"

"My ass."

Joey nearly choked. "Seto you're . . ."

"I am and proud of it. Now get ready, they're going to be here in two minutes."

Joey snarled.

"Ok. Go to your seat. Oh, and order a caviar thing for after. It's on the menu. I think it costs
around ten thousand dollars. Per person."

"Ok, I'll order one. Just for you. That ought to make their eyes bug out."

"Kiss me again and go."

So Seto did.

~ * ~

Joey entered the ring followed by half a dozen corner men. Men whose only jobs were to make
sure he got a drink of water between rounds and that he didn't get blood in his eyes from
untreated cuts.

Joey couldn't help a quick look at the cut man. He wondered how good he really was. A bad cut
man was actually worse than no cut man at all. But he'd done without before so I didn't make
much difference.

The ref was ready with his instructions which were simple 'no killing' Joey sneered at the beast
and backed into his corner. He was astonished when one of the men tried to give him a mouth
piece. He'd never had one before.

When he opened his mouth, the man cupped the piece in his palm and helped him seat it. "Bite
on it if he hurts you bad. It'll help." Another of the men snickered. "What?"

"I've seen them both fight. That bastard is a dead man walking. The Fist will annihilate him. You
go boy. You got him in your pocket. He relies too much on his speed and doesn't plan enough
ahead." The man patted Joey on the shoulder and Joey swallowed hard. It was the first time he'd
had anyone in his corner, much less someone who gave him encouragement. It felt good.

Joey got the mouth piece set to his satisfaction and looked for Seto. He was seated in a box
practically on the apron so close he'd probably get blood on his suit. Seto smiled for Joey and
nodded. Joey nodded back and winked. He didn't even notice anyone else.

Then the fight started. The referee slashed his hand down with a cry of 'Hajemeu' and the Beast
charged Joey, trying to startle him into making the first mistake. That was his. Joey didn't even
move his feet, he just dipped his shoulder so the man missed his grab and stumbled past. He hit
the ropes and bounced. Joey punched him in the kidney, twice. Two hammering blows that had
to hurt. The Beast turned snarling and tried to grab Joey again. He managed to get hold of the
lapel of Joey's gi. Joey eeled out of the jacket and left the man standing there holding it. He
pitched it into the boxes and flipped backwards out of Joey's reach.

They stood for a moment, looking at each other, sizing each other up. Joey side stepped and the
Beast followed, but not quickly enough. Joey managed to get in a kick to the back of his knee
that staggered him. The Beast fell, but turned the fall into a roll that took him well out of Joey's
reach. He took the opportunity to catch his breath a little while he sized Joey up again. Joey
didn't show any sign of weakening. He wasn't even sweating yet.

The next few passes were almost anticlimactic near motions. Joey started an attack the Beast
countered, then the Beast started an attack and Joey countered. The Beast started to sweat, Joey
sneered.

Joey launched a sudden round house kick that took the man in the temple, then followed it up
with a flurry of punches to his belly and face. The Beast managed to get in one lucky punch that
made Joey stumble, right out from in between the Beast and the weapons rack.

He snatched up the nearest weapon, a sword. Joey grabbed the sai and caught the sword in one. It
saved him from a nasty cut, but he still got nicked. The ref shouted "First blood to Maeda-sama."

Joey ignored the cut on his shoulder. If he lasted out the ten minute round, he could get it treated
in his corner. He maneuvered the Beast into a corner and cut him back twice as deep and long.
He was getting the hang of his moves.

The next few minutes of the fight didn't amount to much. The Beast stayed out of Joey's way
until the end of the round. Joey tipped his head at the man and gave him a cocky grin, which
looked a little odd as the mouth piece was royal blue.

Joey retreated to his corner and the cut man immediately slapped a clotting agent on the cut
making Joey startle. Another man held out his hand for the mouth piece, which he washed off
and put in a cup of water. Still another man gave Joey a drink of water, holding a spittoon so he
could rinse his mouth out before he drank. Yet another wiped him down with a cool wet cloth.
The bustle in the corner distracted Joey slightly, but it was good. He'd never been cared for
before, just allowed to sit and wait for the next round.

A uniformed man leaned in and said. "Message from your master. He says to quit fooling
around." Joey just smirked and nodded.

The bell rang and Joey stepped back into the center of the ring holding the sai. The Beast
attacked immediately but Joey was ready for him and stuck him in the knee with the point of the
sai when he got close enough. That was the beginning of the end.

Hobbled by his broken knee cap all he could do was hop on his uninjured leg and try to get in a
coup de grace or at least get lucky.

Joey narrowed his eyes and planned carefully. First he cut the Beast in the same spot he was cut,
then he slashed him across the chest. Spinning away from a flailing slash he cut him in the back,
then ham strung him. In the same knee with the broken kneecap.

The Beast wailed in agony. Just like he'd made many another man do. Joey kicked backward and
was satisfied to hear a nasty sounding snap. He wasn't sure what he'd broken and he didn't really
care.

He whirled just in time to catch the sword with the sai. Twisting one in one direction and the
other in the opposite, he snapped the sword into three pieces.

The spectators had gone wild at the first blood and were now on their feet yelling and screaming.
They wanted blood and lots of it. Joey felt furious, these people wanted to see someone bleed.
Not for revenge or honor but simply because they wanted to see someone suffer.

Joey gave them what they wanted. He started cutting the Beast, not anywhere vital nor very
deeply. Just enough to make him bleed, make him hurt. Make him suffer as he'd made others.

The fight was called after a few more minutes, but in those minutes Joey made sure that the Beast
would never fight again. Between the knee and being hamstrung in the same leg, he was now a
permanent cripple, maimed for life just like he'd made others. As the crowd roared, he carved the
kanji for bastard into the man's chest. No one would notice until the wounds started to heal.

Joey looked around, his eyes cold and flat. "Anyone else got a fighter? I'm ready for all comers."

The ref shuddered this could turn really ugly. Fortunately there were no takers.

~ * ~ Seto's POV ~ * ~

Seto settled himself in the box along with Yugi and Tristan. They were both nervous as was Seto
but only Seto would have known it. Yugi had on his 'game face', Tristan just looked blank.

The servers scrambled around trying to make an impression, but Seto waved them away with a
languid motion of his hand. The box was open, but very nice. The chairs were padded and
comfortable, the floor carpeted. Small tables near each chair held bottled waters, and other drinks
were available on request.

Yugi realized quickly that he couldn't watch this and leaned over Seto's shoulder.

"Is there any place I can go so I don't have to watch this? I just can't do it. Joey will be so
disappointed."

Seto leaned back so he could see Yugi. "He'll understand. Go to the dressing room. When he
comes down just explain."

Yugi nodded and started to leave. "I don't know how you can let him do this. I'm sorry to be
mean but . . . "

Seto turned his head. "I'm not letting him do anything. He has free will. If you think I enjoy
watching my lover fight like this . . . just go, before we get into an argument."

Yugi sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll be in the dressing room . . . worrying." Yugi went up the stairs and
disappeared in the tunnel.

Tristan moved to sit next to Seto, right at the front of the box.

"It'll be ok. I've seen him fight."

"I've seen him fight too. The fight isn't what I'm worried about. It's the aftermath."

Tristan just hummed in agreement and settled down to watch the fight.

When Joey entered the ring, Tristan cheered. Seto gritted his teeth so hard Tristan heard it.

The start of the fight left Tristan standing at the apron yelling and pounding the apron. He rapidly
drifted into the corner where he was absorbed into the group.

Seto stayed in his seat and tried desperately to look without seeing. He didn't want to turn his
head away. But he didn't want to see Joey getting hurt either. Turning his head wouldn't do much
good anyway, the sound of flesh on flesh was too loud. Joey's instructions had been explicit and
Seto intended to obey him to the letter, as near as he could.

"You are Katsuya Genkotsu's new sponsor?"

Seto didn't bother to look at the man. "Yes. He's a great fighter."

"There is some insult here. Please. I'm sorry to be a bother at this time"

"No bother."

"You'll miss the fight."

Seto smirked "When Joey fights there's usually not that much to see."

"I've watched him a time or two. He . . . Damn he's playing with him."

"Yes." Seto made a negligent motion with his hand. "Tea? When he was fighting for Watanabe,
he was told what round to win in and how much damage he had to take. Watanabe padded the
bets in his favor."

"Yes." The man accepted a cup of tea with a slight nod to the server "I see. Well, that answers
several questions."

Neither man had really looked at the other yet. They were both watching the fight; or pretending
to.

"Yes, I'm sure you do see. I'm sorry. I didn't catch your name."

"Bah! Moshi wake arimasen. My english. My name is Hyoe Narita and you are . . . "

"Kaiba Seto. You've probably never heard of me. I deal in toys."

"Aaaaa. Real one's I take it."

"Yes, but then you've heard of Kaiba Corp, I'm sure."

"Yes, weapons and all that. Gozaburo's son took over and changed the direction of the company
quite ruthlessly. I lost interest after that."

Seto turned his head and smiled at the man. "I'm sure you did. But when I took over, I was much
more interested in . . . er . . . toys. Electronics are very lucrative. I've increased the income of the
company twice over and employ over a hundred thousand people world wide.

"Electronics . . . I see. All kinds of electronics I believe."

"Yes. Is there a point to this? Or are we just visiting to occupy time."

The Yakuza gave up his dancing around the subject.

"Shimaimasen. Ore wa baka desu yo. Yurushiti kuri."

"Yes, of course. But we should still speak English. Too many ears around that shouldn't hear.
Tell me what's on your mind. It's no good for you to upset yourself."

"Yes, of course. I was pretty sure who you were when my man told me about Maeda's. . . baka. .
. um. . . stupidity. Now that I see you. . . I had dealings with your father. And. . ."

"I'm sorry to interrupt you. Excuse me, please." Seto motioned to a server. "Don't hover, please.
I want an Emperors Caviar plate delivered to the dressing room. With a card to say. 'Joey; the
best for the best.'" Seto motioned the man away and was satisfied to see Hyoe blink.

"You value him greatly. That is good. But . . . Maeda. He says that you owe him a great deal of
money and won't pay him. I'd like to clear this up." Hyoe laced his fingers together and, resting
his elbows on the chair arms, tucked his hands under his chin. "I'm a realist. I understand the
kind of trouble you can make for me. Very bad for business. And you can skate a very fine line,
very fine."

"Yes, and if worse comes to worst. I can always . . . relocate. I hear the Bahamas are
exceptionably nice. And . . . " Seto gave the man a side ways glance. "I do own an island in the
South China Sea, very nice house there. Survivalist, completely self sufficient."

"Yes. Well."

"Aaa, Maeda-chan. One of his men . . . angered Jounouchi-san. If you want details ask around,
I'm sure someone will enlighten you. But . . .we ruined him quite handily. He owed Maeda-chan
money. When he . . . disappeared, Maeda-chan tried to transfer the debt to . . . me. I didn't even
know about it until he had me kidnaped by a couple of men stupid enough that they couldn't even
tell the difference between a billionaire and a body guard. Quite insulting, if I may say so. . . .
More tea?" Hyoe shook his head. "Sure? Well. So we come to this. Maeda-chan has angered me.
If you don't want to be involved, I'll surely understand. I wouldn't want to be involved on the
wrong side of a . . . disagreement with me. I can be quite ruthless when it's called for. But you
know, I so dislike unpleasantness."

"Yes. I heard about that fight. I don't want to insult your intelligence so I'll admit that I was
ready to . . . er. . . aid my man. But . . . frankly, I don't want to wake up with my . . . "

Seto turned to look directly at the man. "If you anger Jounouchi-dono you're liable to wake up
with your dick in your mouth. He's not as forgiving as I am . . . and he's quite . . . violent."

Hyoe paled but persevered. "I live in a secure building."

"Yes. . . I wrote my first program when I was ten. Four days after I started learning code. It sold a
million copies. Did you know that all security systems these days are computer operated? Back
doors really do exist and I'm very good at exploiting them. And . . . er . . . banks claim to be
secure. Did you know that Tokyo Bank International lost information on several thousand
customers and their accounts? Quite the scandal. If you moved in the right circles, you would
hear things . . . things about the financial world that would scare you breathless. Ah, damn,
Joey's cut."

Hyoe turned his attention to the ring. "It's minor. He's good for several rounds, if what I hear is
right. But they really lost. . . ah. I think we understand each other quite well. I'll stay out of your
business if you'll stay out of mine."

"I have no interest in your business. It's an almond for a parrot to me. My financial statement is a
public document. You could review . . . one moment." Seto motioned to a server. "Connect my
laptop and boot it please." The server scrambled to obey and soon had it ready for Seto's
passwords. "End of round one. You . . . take a message to my fighter please. " Another server
leaned just close enough to hear Seto. "Tell him to quite fooling around." The man bowed and
left.

Seto tapped at the key board for a second then turned the computer for Hyoe's inspection, the
man turned pale. Seto's private income rivaled that of some third world countries.

Seto watched as the corner men took care of Joey. He'd hired the best in the country and they
showed it. He was finding his conversation with Hyoe very enlightening. Maeda, it seemed, was
a loose canon.

"Bell. Why they still use that anachronistic thing, I'll never know. I'd use a nice chime or cord.
I"m sorry to cause you so much concern I find Maeda-chan to be a nuisance. I'll swat him like a
biting fly. But I don't wish to insult you. He is your man after all. I take responsibility for my
people and their actions, I'm sure you do too so. . . . you understand that I . . ."

Hyoe held up a shaking hand. "I'll see to it that you're not bothered anymore. If the fool listens to
me. If he doesn't . . . well, you'll do as you'll do."

Seto turned his attention back to the ring. "I do believe he intends to permanently cripple the
man. I wonder what brought that on. I'll have to ask him when we get home."

"You'll . . . home . . . he lives with you?"

"Yes."

"He's queer. You do know that. don't you?"

"So am I. But I prefer homosexual, or at least, gay."

"I'm sorry . . . I . . . he . . . "

"Hmmm, yes? Something?"

"No, no, . . . nothing. Just . . . how you actually managed to get him to submit . . . he had a bad
experience. I had a little talk with someone about that. Doesn't look good when men abuse their
soldiers."

"Abuse. . . yes. . . that reminds me. . . um . . submit. . . well." Seto gave the man an evil grin.
"Depends on who's doing what, who submits to whom. You see? Or maybe not."

Hyoe changed the subject, this one scared him too much. "No one likes the Beast. Maeda-san
isn't very well liked either. He's too . . . untrustworthy. He's arbitrary where he shouldn't be and
. . . stupid doesn't exactly cover it . . . you understand that I don't condone his actions in any
way."

"Yes, I do understand,. . . bad for business I believe you said. That's true. Especially if you deal
in . . . computer generated cash transfers. ISP's, you know."

"No, I don't, but that doesn't make any difference. I understand that being on your wrong side is
very bad for business. We have an agreement, I believe."

"I believe we do. But I would suggest having a serious talk with Maeda-chan. Any further
problems with him . . . I'll be very displeased. He'll be the first to feel it. The first."

Seto dismissed the man with a shrug. "I think the fight is over."

~ * ~

Joey stepped out of the ring and his corner men fussed over him then tried to get him to go to the
dressing room. He gently put them off, telling the corner head. "I got a point to make."

He walked into the box and knelt at Seto's feet. "Kaiba-shukun, I have won as you commanded."

Seto nodded to Joey. "Go. Clean up. Come to the winners circle when you're ready."

"Yes, Nushi. I'll hurry."

Seto reached out and helped Joey to his feet. "They'll wait."

Joey bowed and returned to the corner, instructing the men to clean him up, but Seto waved a
Motojimi over and told him that he would bring Joey to the winners circle when he was cleaned
up properly.

"But the spectators won't . . ."

Seto gave the man a look so cold he nearly turned to ice.

"They'll wait, or not. Those who are important will wait."

Joey started to leave, but Seto stopped him; right in front of everyone he gently put the earing
back in Joey's ear.

Several people gasped. The picture they made was beautiful. The contrast of dark-haired blue-
eyed Seto standing next to blond-haired dark-eyed Joey, each wearing an earing the color of the
other's eyes, was impressive.

In the dressing room Doctor Higa took a moment to talk to Joey but soon left telling Seto to
coddle him but that he was ok. Yugi and Tristan congratulated him on his win.

Yugi gulped at the sight of the blood smeared down Joey's side and across his chest.

Tristan sighed, he knew the sight of blood made Yugi upset so he grinned at Joey over Yugi's
head.

"Congrats Joey. Good fight."

"Thanks Tris' but you better take Yugi away. He looks green." Joey looked at himself for the
first time. "Well no wonder, I'm all bloody. Take him home. I don't know why you brought him.
You know how he is."

Tristan looked at Seto and grinned again. Seto rolled his eyes in a 'take him away' sort of
expression.

"I think he came to offer you moral support. Ass."

Yugi nodded vigorously but gulped at the same time, the blood was really getting to him. He
hated the sight of blood at the best of times, but when it was a friend covered with his own blood,
it was just too much.

"Ooopppss! I better take care of this." Tristan followed Yugi to the enclosed area of the dressing
room from which sounds of distress were issuing. One of the corner men followed at Joey's
motion.

"You're hovering. Why?"

"Better come here and let me fix you up before you bled too much."

Seto watched as the cut man motioned Joey over to sit on an examination table and went over
him dabbing clotting agent on the few small cuts he'd gotten. The larger cut on his shoulder was
already clotted from the fix in the ring. He sprayed some pseudo skin on them all then told Joey
he could take a shower.

"If you want it. Ass." Joey took a miss-swat at the man and hopped off the table.

Joey showered quickly, making sure he washed all the blood out of his hair. Then he brought a
comb and an elastic to Seto. Kneeling before him, Joey offered them with a hopeful look. Seto
moved a chair and sat down to comb out Joey's hair and braid it.

"Not tonight. A samurai tail, please."

So Seto put it in a tail high on the back of Joey's head. Then Joey redid his suit and they went
out into the hall. Seto stopped him. When he tried to kiss him Joey gently turned his head.

"Humm?"

"Not here. Not in a dirty hall in a sports arena."

"I don't mind if some one catches us."

"I do." At Seto's look he snarled "I don't want you caught kissing in the alley of a sports arena.
It's not dignified."

Seto smiled "You're so protective. Come on"

~ * ~

When Joey stepped into the winners circle first, the spectators whistled and cheered. It was
seldom that a fighter entered ahead of a sponsor, when he did it was a sign of great favor.

Joey stood slightly behind and to one side of Seto to wait for the purse to be brought to them.
Seto reached out and linked hands with him, pulling him to a position beside him, showing them
as equals. Not master and man.

Seto accepted the purse and handed it to Joey. Then they headed back for the dressing room for a
while, so Seto could accept congratulations from spectators who paid for passes to the dressing
rooms. Joey insisted.

"I don't believe you actually gave your fighter the purse. You had a ton of bets on him, didn't
you."

Seto eyed the man with disgust. He quashed the urge to wipe his newly shaken hand on his pants.

"I don't bet on my 'man.' It's disrespectful. The purse ought to be enough."

"But you gave it to him." The pretty blond woman looked prettily puzzled.

"This fight was to . . prove a point and make an impression."

"Well, Old Boy, I'm impressed."

Seto nodded to the English man and recognized him as one of Gozabouros old cronies.

"Good. Don't forget it."

Joey looked up as the single serving Emperor's Caviar plate was wheeled in on a cart. He read
the card and smiled at Seto.

"Thanks, boss. You know I really love this stuff."

Seto watched as every one in the room reacted to a fighter receiving a ten thousand dollar plate of
caviar. He looked at Joey, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"I treat you well because you deserve it. I never liked the way Kin Koumaru, then Watanabe,
treated you. You're worth more than those two and Honda put together. Loyalty should be
rewarded, not taken advantage of."

Joey picked up a toast point and put some of the caviar on it. The server offered him an
assortment of garnishes; chopped onion, chopped egg, sour cream, lemon juice and wasabi.

"No thank you. Only barbarians offend the taste of caviar by overlaying it with that junk. Or else
they're only eating it because it's expensive and they want to show off."

Seto had to take a sip of his champagne to keep from laughing.

As Joey turned his head to listen to something one of the hangers on was saying Seto realized
that he'd taken a hard hit to the cheek bone. It was starting to bruise, turning a nasty shade of
olive green. Seto found himself thinking 'R91,G168,B97'. He made his way over to Joey and
touched it, causing him to flinch.

"I'm sorry. Did that hurt or did I just startle you?"

"It's sorta sore. Why?"

"It's turning green.. . . finish up your caviar and we'll go home. I don't want you standing around
putting up with this bunch of idiots when you're in pain."

Joey nuzzled his cheek into Seto's hand, unashamedly showing his affection.

"Whatever you say, Nushi. Will you stay here with me?"

"Sure. But if I do, I get a bite."

"Where do you want it?"

Seto snickered along with Joey, while everyone else wondered what the joke was.

Joey put a large dab of caviar on the toast and fed it to Seto. Seto took it delicately and licked his
finger as he did so. He was finding that PDA was fun after all. He would never be an
exhibitionist but he was getting more comfortable with casual touching.

"Joey, you ok?" Seto looked at Joey with concern in his dark sapphire eyes. "I mean, really ok."

Joey sighed "I'll be ok until we can get out of here without losing face. After that, all bets are
off."

Seto nodded. "Give it a few more minutes, then we'll leave."

The door suddenly flew open and Maeda charged in, breathing like a rampaging bull.

"You ruined him. He's done for. You . . ."

Seto stepped between Joey and Maeda.

Joey was just getting ready to put a point in his mouth, so he was standing with his mouth half
open, trying to decide if he should drop it or eat it.

"Eat that. I'll handle that pain in our collective ass."

Joey stuffed the caviar in his mouth and chewed appreciatively.

"OK, Nushi. As you wish. But I get leftovers."

Seto just turned to Maeda and inquired in a dangerously soft voice. "You have a good reason for
disrupting our celebration, I presume?"

Maeda snarled "Your man ruined mine. He's no good to me with that leg. And all that blood, it's
all over."

"I see. You object to your man's blood, but not the blood of others. How spectacularly . . .
hypocritical."

"You. You're just trying to confuse me with fancy words."

"Me? Perish the thought."

Joey choked on a toast crumb.

Maeda started to attack Seto, but found that he had not one, but two knives pointed at his throat.
He was facing twin glares and twin blades. Seto shook his head.

"Stupid. I see that you don't understand your place at all. You're not worth the trouble."

Several of the men standing around finally woke up and grabbed Maeda. Joey looked on in
disgust as it took four of them to wrestle Maeda out the door.

"Nushi, I'm tired and I want to go home. Please."

Seto just smiled and 'disappeared' his blade. "Sure. We can go home soon. Just a few more
minutes."

It didn't take long for Hyoe to show up offering apologies. "I'll take care of him myself. And . . .
damnit. Now what."

But Seto knew exactly what. And smiled. Watanabe came into the room looking around

"Hello, Katsuya. I heard you were back from America. Why didn't you look up an old friend? I
still have a place for you."

Seto stepped between Joey and this new aggravation. "Eat your caviar. We'll be leaving in a few
minutes. I'm finding the company too common for my tastes. I don't know how you managed to
keep your gorge from rising, keeping this kind of company. Unworthy."

"Sorry, Nushi. You know how it is."

"Yes. I'll punish you appropriately when we get home."

"Promise?" Joey gave Seto a leer.

Watanabe blinked. Seto and Joey's by play had gone entirely over his head, all he payed any
attention to was the caviar. His eyes bugged out and he exclaimed. "He's eaten all the caviar.
You . . . "

Seto just shrugged. "I ordered it expressly for him. He likes it so. Problem?" Seto raised an
eyebrow arrogantly.

"But . . . that . . . it's . . . " Watanabe sputtered incoherently. "That plate was ten thousand
dollars. It's outrageous."

Joey curled his lip at the man and turned back to his treat. He knew the only reason that
Watanabe recognized the dish was because it was the only caviar that was white. And at
$23,308.00 per Kilo (35oz) or $665.95 per oz it was more expensive than most drugs and a lot
more healthy.

Seto turned a cold shoulder to the man. "I think it's outrageous the way you treated him. He's
loyal to a fault and quite lovely besides. And you treated him like trash. You're a fool and I don't
suffer fools gladly. I don't remember inviting you to this little soiree and I'd like you to leave. If
you don't go willingly, I'll have security assist you. Good night."

Watanabe sputtered and fumed. Then he made a real mistake, he put his hands on Seto.

Joey nearly took his hand off at the wrist. "Don't touch him. Nushi. You want his gonads on a
plate? I'll be glad to offer them to you on my knees. Please?" Joey unashamedly wheedled.

"No . . . I don't think so. You finished with your treat?"

"Yes."

Hyoe took this interlude to make himself known to Watanabe. "You offend me. You have no
self-control at all. Leave. Now."

Watanabe paled, Hyoe was his Oyabun. He knew by the expression on his face that something
was not good.

"I didn't recognize him until just now. The last time I saw him he had a sullen face and me never
caught his name. He's that undercover cop. Yes. I know about it now. I didn't at the time and
even if I did I wouldn't have done much. Allowing the police to eliminate the competition has a
certain . . . irony. Very nice work if I may say so myself."

Watanabe opened his mouth and gulped. He was under indictment and fighting hard to stay free.
He gave Joey a 'later for you' look which made Joey grin.

"I'm not a cop anymore. They pulled my shield. So the gloves are off. Don't fuck with me,
because I'm crazy and it's mostly your fault. I'll have your guts for garters and the department
won't do a thing except send me to more therapy."

Watanabe flicked his eyes from Joey to Seto and back then looked helplessly at Hyoe. "Boss?"

"Don't look at me. You brought this all on yourself. You dealt with people I told you to stay
away from. And I'm not messing with one of the . . . well, anyone who can get a man like
Jounouchi Katsuya to call him Nushi and Shukun and mean it, is a great deal more dangerous
than I want to get involved with." Watanabe looked like he wanted to argue. "Mess with them.
Go ahead. But don't come crawling to me when Jounouchi-sama and Kaiba-sama hand you your
head."

Hyoe turned and walked away motioning for Watanabe to follow. With a final half-hearted glare
he did so.

"Joey? You ready to leave? I'm tired of all the chatter, and those fools spoiled my appetite for
this . . . common stuff. If you like, we can go to a restaurant before we go home, but I'd really
like to get out of here. The whole place stinks."

Joey just nodded, "I've finished my caviar, but I'm still hungry. I know a place down by the fish
market. The sashimi is really fresh. Come on."

Seto started to follow Joey out but Doctor Higa stopped him, handed him something, and spoke
to him for a moment. Seto hurried to catch up and they made it to the car without further
incident.

Joey settled himself on the back seat between Seto and the door. He leaned back and sighed.

"Seto, that caviar was really good. There's nothing in the world like the taste of Almas, except
maybe really fresh shrimp."

Seto smiled at Joey, he had enjoyed watching Joey eat with such obvious appetite. He didn't care
how much it cost; if Joey ate, he was happy.

"You want to give the driver the name of the restaurant?"

Joey laughed softly. "I don't think it has a name. But I'll . . . I bet Roland has the address."

Joey gave Roland the address and was greeted by a groan. "Master Joseph, please don't tell me
you want to drag Mr. Kaiba into that place."

Seto gave Joey a surprised look. Joey smirked at Seto.

"I didn't figure him for squeamish."

"Squeamish?" Seto managed not to look puzzled.

"Yeah. . . you'll see. I'm fond of the place. Everything is really fresh."

~ * ~

Seto watched as Joey pointed to the prawn he wanted. The chief scooped it out of the tank with a
net and neatly cut its head off, stripped the shell off, and plopped it in front of Joey, still
twitching.

Joey nodded and the man sliced it into slivers.

Joey shook his head. "You need to sharpen that knife."

"Sorry, sir. Do you want another?"

"No, that one's fine. And I'll have that one too." Joey pointed out another prawn and they were
treated to the same show with a different knife. Seto noticed a definite difference in the quality of
the slices.

"This is good. Joey?" Joey had picked up the platter of prawn and sauces and was walking away.

"Oh,. . . sorry. I like the booth in the corner. You can barely see it, but from it, I can see the
whole room. Come on. I'm really tired and I want to sit down."

Seto slid into the booth with Joey right behind him. Joey relaxed and sighed appreciatively.

"Nothing like really fresh prawns. You'll like this place or you'll hate it. I love the freshness.
Some people find the prep a little too much."

Seto picked up a bit of prawn and tasted it. "Mmmmm good. I don't mind watching shell fish,
but anything with guts would probably be too much for me. I'm a little grossed out that way."

Joey relaxed so suddenly that Seto clutched at him. "Joey! Love."

"I'm ok. I just . ..let down. I'm so tired. Seto, I just. . . I'm not fightin' again. I just can't go back
into that ring ever again. I'm . . ."

Seto shut Joey up by kissing him fiercely. "Never again. I had a little talk with Hyoe Narita."

Joey gasped, Hyoe was so high up in the ranks that Joey had only seen pictures of him.

"Don't worry, he's a very good business man. He knows that annoying me can cost him a lot of
money, money he doesn't want to lose in a pissing contest that he can't win."

Joey smirked. "Hit him in the pocket and make him hurt."

"No. We have an understanding. But if he breaks his word I'll ruin him completely, and he
knows it. Here. Eat."

Seto settled Joey against his shoulder and reached out with his chopsticks. Picking up a bit of
prawn he dipped it in Joey's favorite sauce and fed it to him. He took a piece for himself and
chewed reflectively.

Seto alternately fed Joey then himself until the plate was empty. The tea was good quality so they
finished it off and left.

Seto supported Joey to the car, he was so weary that he was staggering. Roland held the door,
eyeing Joey with concern.

"He's just worn out. Roland, please take us home. Tell the driver that if he hits one pot hole, he's
fired."

Roland smiled and nodded. Seto was virtually hovering over Joey.

In the car, Seto had Joey kneel on the floor and remove his jacked and weapons harnesses. While
he was doing that, Seto spread a blanket on the seat and over his chest.

When Joey was done divesting himself of all his uncomfortable trappings Seto held out his arms
and Joey crawled into them. He broke down completely, sobbing as if his heart was broken. Seto
could only hold him, patting his shoulders and stroking his back, offering what little comfort he
could.

"No more. I can't take it either. We go outside the law if we have to. Joey stop, you'll get the
hiccups."

Joey managed to stop, but it was hard. He wiped his eyes and blew his nose then settled against
Seto again.

"I'm cold. Why am I always so cold, Seto? I don't understand."

"It's ok. I'll warm you. Just lean on me. You can count on me, you know."

"Yeah, I guess I can. Nice. Mmmmm. . . . warmer already."

Seto smoothed his fingers through Joey's hair, loosening it from it's tail. He ran his fingers
through the golden locks gently, comfortingly, while Joey fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

thanks to:
Black Crystall Draygon, Nightmare Senshi, and several people who left anonymous reviews. I
appreciate you all.

Two chapters in the same day.