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Yu-Gi-Oh! Dragon Slayer	By : Smenkhkara Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5745 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of its characters. Yu-Gi-Oh! is the trademark of Kazuki Takahashi. Nor do I make any money from the writting of these stories.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
  Chapter Ten

   Roland Richardson couldn't have maintain his hold for another minute, even if he'd tried.
   He released the frantic CEO from his imposing grip the moment Mokuba opened his eyes and sat up. The towering bodyguard watched with mixed feelings of concern and relief as his boss finally reached his destination, immediately dropping to his knees and enveloping his little brother in a boned-crushing hug. The Kaiba Brother's Personal Assistant wiped away a stray tear at the heartwarming site and knew this was not a moment his, usually, stoic boss would want witnessed by anyone outside the family.
   Roland moved with quiet proficiency towards the doors of the glass divider and into the next room, only to come to rest before the hospital's Chief Administrator. Casually, he gestured to the exit leading into the hallways, “If you'll please…” He stated firmly, leaving the rest of the polite command unfinished.
   Dr. Kenji opened his mouth to protest when he realized he was being dismissed but one look at the two brothers, sitting quietly on the bed, and the doctor decided against it. Knowing it would be easier to deal with the difficult CEO, later, when he'd had the time to calm down and relax. The Chief Hospital Administrator gestured for the two nurses to exit the room, following himself, once they made their way into the hallway.
   As soon as the door had closed, the towering brunette turned to study the two boys under his care. He silently watched as his boss soothed his younger brother's fears before he turned and reached for the door handle. This was not the time for his presence either.
   He stepped out into the hallway, quiet, even for this time of day. It was, after all, the private section of the hospital. Only rich patients and well known members of upscale American society would ever be able to afford a room in this wing, and took a look around.
   The hallway was relatively clear of any obstacles. He'd made sure of that upon his arrival. Even so, the brunette could still see the occasional piece of medical equipment and supply carts scattered here and there. Nothing to be too concerned about. Directly across from him sat a row of five comfortable looking chairs and behind him stood two private security guards he'd hand picked and posted personally. Although the chairs beckoned him to sit down and relax his tired body, Roland opted for taking a position between the two bodyguards. The towering brunette would never ask one of his men to endure something he wasn't willing to suffer through himself.
   As soon as he'd taken his place, Roland reached inside the left, breast pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out his cell phone. The Personal Assistant had turned it off hours ago when his boss had first arrived at the hospital. Now it was time to turn it back on.
   It took a moment for the device to power up but once it did, Roland was immediately notified of several missed calls. All from one Joey Wheeler. Before the towering brunette got the chance to decide his next course of action concerning the calls, the sound of rubber, slapping loudly, against high-priced linoleum drew his attention from the right. Glancing in the direction of the hurried pace Roland was rewarded with the welcomed site of one overly frantic blond as he skidded around the corner and made his way down the long stretch of hallway, stopping only for a brief moment when he spotted the guards posted outside the private hospital room.

   Joey Wheeler hesitated for only the briefest of seconds when his honey-brown eyes took in the site of the three men in black suits. But once he realized who they were, the blond's sore feet picked up speed, halting with a loud squeak as his running shoes gripped the man-made plastic of the dark-grey floor.
   As soon as Kc2 had touched down at Kennedy International two security guards, who'd been waiting for the blond's arrival, had ushered Joey through a private entrance of the airport, bypassing customs and the general crowd of commuters, and into a small, four-man helicopter. The pilot’s take off was skillful as they quickly made their way to their destination.
   Not bothering to wait for his escorts, the blond had jumped out of the chopper and down the stairs to the main floors below. He hadn't even stopped to ask for directions. He'd just torn through the hallways of the hospital, shouting at medical staff along the way. Now and then, the blond had been told to turn left, right or take an elevator but eventually he'd arrived at Mokuba's room. Now, as the exhausted youth doubled over and gripped his knees, wheezing from his burning desire to reach the Kaiba Brother's, all he could think about was, 'Is the kid alright?'.
   The towering brunette couldn't keep his amusement from showing. An honest smile touched his lips and lit up his face, causing him to look years younger then he'd felt in a long time. It was nice to see the haggard blond's concern was genuine and it only served to reinforce Roland's belief that the young man deserved a place in his employer's prestigious family.
   When Joey had finally caught his breath, he raised soulful, honey-brown orbs towards the aged bodyguard, almost pleading for a positive response.
   “'Ow's 'e doin'?” The blond's whisper rang harsh in the quiet confines of the hallway.
   The question was two-sided and Roland knew Joey was asking after both his boss and the younger brother. He also knew he wasn't going to be able to give the blond what he wanted. The smile fell from the brunette's face, only to be replaced with a mournful expression, causing Joey to tense as soon as his tired brain registered the unspoken answer. Hope faded from the blond's honey-brown eyes and the his shoulders slumped in defeat.
   “O', man.” He grumbled as he kicked the floor with the toe of his shoe.
   With a sunken carriage, the handsome youth slowly made his way over to one of the hallway's waiting chairs and dropped himself into the comfortable-looking cushion. The blond leaned forward and hung his head in his hands, tugging on his golden locks with an aggravated sigh. Joey took several long, deep breathes, as if to calm himself, before he leaned back in a slouched position on the chair. Once again, he raised soulful honey-brown eyes to the towering bodyguard.
   “Tell me everyt'ing dat's 'appened.” He pleaded.

   The two Kaiba Brothers sat on the hospital bed, both wrapped in an embrace that spoke of true desperation.
   Kaiba; because, for the first time in his life, he'd been faced with the very real terror of losing his little brother. Sure, Mokuba had been kidnapped several times in the past. And, sure, both brothers had found themselves in life-threatening situations more times than he could count. But this was different. This time Seto had been forced to watch 'Death' itself attack and all the brunette could do was stand on the sidelines and watch. Just like his mother; just like his father. It had been a frightening experience and Seto couldn't hold back the tears of anguish and relief he felt in that precise moment.
   Mokuba, on the other hand, was so shocked he didn't know what to think. The raven-haired teen found himself trapped in an unusual situation. First, he was confused. Mostly because he had no idea where he was and what was going on.
   Second, the younger Kaiba found himself completely baffled by the actions of his older brother. The normally stoic CEO had the young boy wrapped in a hug so tight, Mokuba could barely breath. And was that crying he heard? Because as far as he was concerned, he'd never seen his big brother shed a tear over anything. Not in his entire life. To add to his turmoil, Seto was rocking him back and forth while the brunette slowly stroked his hair. Mokuba listened with quiet distress as his older brother repeatedly whispered that he was fine and everything was going to be alright.
   And finally, he was in pain. So much pain.
   The raven-haired teens’ right arm was so sore he could barely return his brother's desperate embrace and his left arm was strapped across his chest with a white cotton ‘figure of eight’ bandage. His back ached for unknown reasons as did his ribs. In addition, Mokuba had a hard time focusing his thoughts and his eyes. The back and left side of his head throbbed with a pulsing headache like nothing he'd ever felt before and his vision was blurry. Although, the young teen couldn't decide if that was because he was shedding his own tears or if there was some other reason involved. But the affliction that had him biting back sheer panic was his leg. He couldn't move his leg! And every time he tried sharp pangs shots threw his upper thigh, down to his toes and back again.
   Weary and completely drained of strength, the younger Kaiba Brother collapsed against the older brunette and allowed himself to be comforted. He just didn't have the desire to struggle any longer.
   “Seto?” Mokuba croaked. Barely able to push that single word from his dry and scratchy throat. “What happened?” The young teen whispered with growing despair. But the only answer he got from his older brother was the quiet mantra he continued to repeat.
   “SETO!?” The boy cried as loud as he could, hoping it would snap his brother out of whatever self-induced trance the CEO seemed to be in. “What's going on!?” He asked a second time, gathering all his strength to push against the brunette's chest. Trying, once again to get his older brother's attention.
   His frantic attempt worked.
   Kaiba's sapphire-blue eyes snapped into focus as his frantic movements stopped dead in their tracks. At the sound of his brother's rough and laboured pleas the usually stoic CEO pulled himself from his tragic memories to address his younger brother.
   “Mokuba.” The brunette answered as he carefully moved the raven-haired teen to lie back down on the bed. As soon as the boy's head hit the pillow, Kaiba supported his weight on his left hand while he raised the right one to cup his brother's cheek. “Mokuba.” The brunette repeated as he closed his eyes in silent relief. When he did, a single tear fell and landed on the younger Kaiba's forehead.
   At the sight of his older brother's obvious distress, the young teen found himself choking back another round of sobs.
   “Seto?,” The boy whispered, “what's going on?” He asked again. This time hoping for a better answer.
   “Mokuba.” It seemed to be the only thing the brunette could say.
   How did one tell their little brother they'd almost died? How did one begin to explain the circumstances of their situation without alarming the poor boy and sending him into a panic? And how did one admit they weren't even brothers? Well, they were but then they weren't. Oh, God! That was just not something that Kaiba could think about at the moment. He had more important matters to address. But no matter how hard the CEO tried, his mind couldn't produce an answer. All he could do was tell the truth. He just had to find a delicate way of relaying the information. Slowly Seto opened his eyes and looked at the boy lying on the bed.
   “Mokuba,” The brunette repeated, before he cleared his throat to try again. “There was an accident at the park.” Kaiba admitted.
   At his older brother's gentle but firm admission the raven-haired teen's memories kicked in and fragmented scenes began to flash before his eyes.
   He stared with unfocused horror as he remembered walking with the team of contractors. They'd been inspecting the recent work completed on the Blue-Eyes Jet Coaster and he, along with the Lead Contractor had been discussing some of the improvements they’d made to the ride. The details were sketchy and Mokuba could barely recall the conversation. And as the teen tried to push past the fog that seemed to shroud his memories, he winced, pale-blue eyes squeezing shut as his hands flew to grip the side of his head, immediately putting his older brother on the offensive.
   “Mokuba! What’s wrong?” Kaiba asked. His voice sounding strained with growing concern. He watched as his younger brother scrunched his eyelids tighter, groaning as a sharp pain swept over him. “Mokuba?”
   “It hurts!” The boy cried as another spasm struck the injured teen.
   Uncertainty clouded the young CEO’s expression for a brief moment before Kaiba remembered his brother’s head injury. Assuming the pain must be coming from trying to recall the accident, the brunette tried, once again, to sooth the raven-haired teen’s fears.
   “It will be alright, Mokuba.” Kaiba reassured his younger brother. “Don’t try so hard.”
   “I know, but I can’t remember anything.”
   “Maybe that’s for the best.” The young CEO admitted openly.
   Mokuba opened his eyes to silently stare at his older brother before he realized that Seto was trying to protect him from the worst of the truth. The raven-haired teen released a dejected sigh before burrowing back into the warmth of the bedding. He closed his tired eyes and sighed again. Maybe his brother was right, maybe it was for the best.
   Too weak to continue the conversation and in too much pain to remain in the world of reality, the younger Kaiba brother allowed the beckoning darkness to give him peace.
   Kaiba watched as sleep claimed his little brother. The brunette released a sigh of his own, knowing they couldn’t avoid the reality of the situation forever. He was going to have to get a psychiatrist in to speak with Mokuba. Maybe they could help him to remember. And then, maybe they could help him work through the guilt the teen was going to feel for surviving.
   As the CEO’s mind mulled over the new problem at hand, mentally running through a list of known associates he could call upon to assist with his little brother’s impending rehabilitation, the door to the recovery room opened to reveal the brunette’s Personal Assistant.
   Kaiba turned and locked eyes with the towering brunette. “What is it?“ He asked. The CEO was immediately on his feet when he saw an excited expression barely being restrained on the bodyguard’s usually impassive face.
   “Mr. Kaiba, Sir,” Roland began, trying his best to maintain his professional demeanour and failing miserably. “I believe we may have found a donor.”
   Before hope and shock had the chance to register across the CEO’s face, the brunette was out the door and following his Personal Assistant down the hallway of the hospital.

   So the Mutt had come to the rescue.
   Tired, sapphire-blue eyes pushed past its reflection on the window and gazed into the medical laboratory where a phlebotomist was extracting blood at an alarming rate. The brunette’s blond lover lounged comfortably in a padded recliner as several nurses monitored the process from nearby chairs.
   Kaiba had listened intently as his Personal Assistant filled him in on all the details. The brunette had not said a word as Roland explained it had been Wheeler that had called him on the plane. The bodyguard reluctantly admitted to making plans behind the CEO’s back to have the blond join them in the US. Not that Kaiba minded. A big part of him had wanted Joey to be present. But as Kaiba watched the life-saving measures taking place in the next room, the brunette found himself warring with his pride. This was, yet again, more proof that he did not have the ability to take care of his little brother. Proof that came in the guise of the discussion Roland had had with the blond outside of the hospital room.
   Kaiba’s Personal Assistant had relayed the entire conversation.
   The towering brunette had begun by telling Wheeler the events from the moment they had arrived. He had started with a list of Mokuba’s injuries. Explained the long and tiring wait as hospital staff tested Kaiba’s blood. The result of those tests and the fact that the CEO now had to rely on the National Blood Bank to save the raven-haired teen’s life. And finally, why.
   That’s when Joey had reacted.
   Kaiba’s Personal Assistant admitted to being shocked when the blond had asked him to repeat the part regarding the mismatched blood types. He’d been speechless when the young man had jumped out of his chair and grabbed his arm, going on and on about a time when the blond had been thirteen years old and in the hospital, himself, fighting for his life.
   Joey had admitted that, at the time, he’d had no idea what the hospital staff was talking about. All he knew was that he’d been in critical condition in the ICU ward for weeks after the gang fight, recovering from multiple stab wounds. His father had been furious with the total amount of the bill. Wheeler had never told anyone about those events, nor the ones that followed. Namely, the part where his father had almost put him back in the hospital with the beating he’d endured. But most specifically, what the blond had had to do to earn the money to pay the bill. All of that aside, the point Joey was trying to make was that he’d learned he had a very rare blood type. A fact that he was going to have to be very conscience of in the future, especially if he was going to find himself in anymore life threatening situations.
   When the initial shock of the conversation had worn off, Roland had dragged the blond down to the medical labs and demanded that the staff start the procedures to begin extracting blood. Then the towering brunette had hunted down the hospital’s Chief Administrator and filled him in on the new development before finally returning to the recovery room, bringing Kaiba to his current circumstance.
   The CEO’s tired blue eyes refocused on the procedures happening in the next room. He did not want to go in there but he knew he had no choice. With a deep sigh, the brunette moved to the door and entered, causing the blond to jump with the unexpected intrusion. All at once, honey-brown eyes sparkled with joy and an enormous smile stretched across the blond’s face, welcoming the CEO with unguarded affection.
   Kaiba was immediately on the defensive. This was not something he was ready to make public knowledge.
   “Leave us.” He commanded.
   The delightful expression dropped from Joey’s face at the brunette’s simple but harsh words.
   “But Mr. Kaiba,” One of the nurses began, “we’re still waiting on the second bag of blood.”
   “Begin with what you have. You may return for the rest.” The brunette added, never taking his eyes off the blond.
   “Yes, Sir.” She acknowledged as the two nurses gathered the necessary supplies and left the room. Their preparations were not lost on the young CEO, his little brother was on the road to recovery.
   All thanks to Joey Wheeler.
   “Wha’s up wit’ dat?” Joey asked as soon as the two men were alone. “I’d figure’ ya’d be sore bu’ I t’ough’ a’leas’ ya’d be ‘appy ta see me.” The blond finished, noticing Kaiba hadn’t left his place by the door.
   Another sigh escaped the brunette, more than audible across the expense of the tiny room. He raised his right hand, using fore finger and thumb to massage the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he took a moment to recollect his thoughts. When the young CEO had regained some of his, usually, stoic mannerisms he squared his shoulders and straighten his posture. Standing taller and feeling more certain of himself, Seto reopened his eyes and replied, “I am happy to see you.”
   “Yea’, righ’. Ya’re jumpin’ fawr jawy.” The blond huffed as he tried to cross his arms, realizing that was impossible when he felt the tubing pull taunt. The brunette took a moment to study the medical paraphernalia to make sure nothing had come loose before he refocused on his lover.
   “Joey, please,” The young CEO begged as he slowly approached the recliner, “I’ve had a very long day.”
   At the brunette’s imploring tone the blond relaxed, feeling contrite. He really shouldn’t be adding tension to an already uneasy situation.
   “Ya’re righ’, Kaiba. ‘M sorry.” Wheeler amended as he raised his arms and reached for the brunette. “’M just worried ‘bout ya an’ da kid, ya knaw.”
   “I appreciate the concern.” The brunette stated without emotion reaching for the blond and gently laying a gentle kiss upon the other’s forehead.
   In response to the stoic CEO’s frigid gesture, Wheeler pulled back and looked into the brunette’s sapphire-blue orbs. There was no lack of feeling in the usually cold and frosty expression. In fact, Kaiba’s eyes were full of emotion. Pain, sadness and uncertainty were all reflected back at the blond in that heart-stopping gaze and Wheeler’s own eyes softened with understanding.
   “Kaiba,” Joey ventured carefully, cupping the CEO’s face with his hands, bringing his right hand up to dance through the brunette’s soft, silky locks. “Rolan’ tol’ me wha’ ‘appened.”
   The intensity of that arresting stare immediately started to falter and the blond could tell that Kaiba was barely holding on to his sanity. To help the brunette maintain the last shreds of his dignity, Joey raised himself off the recliner and gently brushed his lips against Kaiba’s. The second the stoic CEO got a taste of that tender mouth he attacked the blond without hesitation.
   The two young men had come together before with a passion that rivalled the greatest of lovers but none of their previous kisses ever held the need and desperation this one did. Kaiba devoured Joey with a hunger he didn’t even know he possessed. The brunette poured all his pain, suffering and heartbreak into that one single embrace. He was communicating with the blond. He was telling Joey how much it hurt; how horrible it had been to watch his brother die. The CEO wordlessly spoke of his worries and his fears; of his doubts and his uneasiness. He was asking the blond for his help; for his understanding. But most of all, Kaiba was asking Joey for his love and support. Because there was just no way the, usually, stoic CEO could face this situation alone.
   And Joey heard him.
   The blond responded with a silent litany of his own. It spoke of compassion, devotion and consideration, He was telling Kaiba he understood his feelings and that Joey would be there for him. No matter what the brunette needed. When the two young men broke apart, they were panting heavily.
   Having no more strength to fight, what he considered to be a losing battle, Kaiba rested his forehead on the blond’s shoulder and sighed.
   “I can’t do this, Joey.” The CEO’s hoarse voice reluctantly admitted as he sighed again. “I can’t watch him die.”
   “But ‘e ain’ gonna die, Kaiba. ‘M ‘ere.” The blond soothed as he carefully wrapped his arms around the brunette. “An’ my blood is gonna ‘elp ‘im feel bedder,” He continued to encourage. “an’ ya gonna be dere ta make ‘im stron’. Ya jus’ wait an see. Soon de kids gonna be runnin’ ‘round ‘here like dere’s naw tommorra an’ ya’re gonna wis’ ‘e didn’ ‘ave sa much ener’y.”
   Kaiba snorted at the ridiculous picture Joey’s words conjured up. If only he’d been a better brother, he silently mused, then they wouldn’t be in this situation. If only he hadn’t pushed Mokuba into something he hadn’t wanted to do, then none of this would have happened.
   The brunette heaved another deep sigh as he slowly relaxed into the blond’s hold. Joey was running his hands in little circles across his back and the gesture was both comforting and soothing. The CEO’s last thought, before he drifted off into a dreamless sleep, was that he should be back in that room watching over his little brother instead of wasting time, here, with the Mutt.

   Kaiba woke several hours later to find himself wrapped protectively in the arms of his spirited lover. Although Joey seemed to be in a deep sleep, Seto took his time to carefully remove himself from the blond’s vigilant embrace.
   Once free, the stoic CEO took a few moments to compose himself. He subconsciously raked his fingers through his bedraggled hair before reaching down to adjust his rumpled silk shirt, meticulously brushing out several wrinkles. When he was satisfied that his appearance couldn’t get any better, without a hot shower and a change of clothing, the brunette stretched his stiff muscles and took a look around the small room.
   Everything had been packed up and put back in its place. The equipment that had been used to extract blood from Joey was gone which meant, while he’d been sleeping, there had been people coming and going from the room. That also implied that those same people had witnessed the brunette in a vulnerable and intimate state. A fact that made Kaiba tense and narrow his sapphire-blue eyes.
   It was just one more weakness being put on display. One more flaw that showed how pathetic he was. That the brunette didn’t have the strength to stand on his own, that he needed others to be strong for him. And Seto was beginning to resent the continued intrusions into his personal affairs. He was a private person and no one had the right to pry into his life. No matter how innocent that invasion might be.
   Squaring his shoulders, Kaiba stood with renewed purpose. It was time to take back control. Time to remind everyone who he was and what he was capable of. But before he could do that, Kaiba had to be certain of his own competence and qualifications. He had to know that he could be the strong, big brother Mokuba could rely on. A dauntless sibling that could guide and protect him. The brunette needed to reassure himself of his place as the CEO of KaibaCorp. That he was the right man to take the company and their dreams into the future. But most of all, Kaiba needed to be sure of Joey. Of the blond’s stature and what that position might entail. Was Wheeler really the right man for the brunette to give his heart too?
   And there was only one way the stoic CEO was going to get his answers.
   He had never been the type of person that dwelt in the past. He’d always been confident with his decisions. Right or wrong, for better or worse, those choices had set him and Mokuba on the course of their lives. But now he needed to make sure that he had taken the right path. That there had never been any other option.
   With that mind set in place, Kaiba moved towards the doorway. He was going to discover the truth about his past and he knew just where to start.
   The brunette fingered the Kc pin on the lapel of his jacket, never once thinking to look over his shoulder at Joey.
   “Roland,” Kaiba began as he reached for the handle and stepped into the hallway, “Meet me at the Main Entrance immediately.”

   Joey Wheeler’s lips curled into the sweetest smile imaginable as he squeezed his brunette lover. Everything was going to be alright. He just needed to find a way to communicate that to the young man lying in his arms.
   “Seto.” The blond whispered in his sleep, his smile stretching to comic proportions as he thought about the warm and heartfelt kiss they had shared earlier. “I love ya.” He mumbled with genuine affection as he arched against Kaiba’s warm body. Tightening his hold to epic proportions, Joey turned into the welcomed embrace only to roll over and fall face-first on to the cold, hard floor.
   “Oaf.” Came the muffled response as his tired mind tried to catch up with the reality of the situation.
   Another pained response passed his lips as he opened honey-brown eyes, only to find himself staring at dark grey linoleum. The blond released an uneasy groan as he raised his sore arms to push himself into a sitting position. Once his back was flush with the legs of the recliner, he straightened his legs and stretched his aching muscles.
   A final grumble of protest rumbled deep in his throat as the blond managed to pull himself into a standing position. Slowly, he rolled his shoulders and arched his back, working out the stiffness and took a look around the small room.
   It took a moment for Joey to realize that the medical equipment, that had been used to withdraw his blood, had been cleaned up and packed away. He blinked, several times, before it finally dawned on him that he was alone in the room. His brunette lover was nowhere to be seen.
   Deciding that Kaiba must have returned to Mokuba’s side, the blond took a personal moment to turn around and glare at the recliner.
   “S’upid chair.” Joey groused and kicked the thick, metal leg, just for good measure, before he made his way over to the door and out into the hallway.

   Hands stuffed deep in the pockets of his faded blue jeans, Joey Wheeler whistled a jaunty tunes as he slowly strolled down the hallways of the quiet hospital wing.
   He couldn’t wait to see how Mokuba was doing and he silently hoped that Kaiba had been able to get some sleep. The brunette had looked awful when he’d first appeared in the little room. The blond had seen Kaiba haggard and in low spirits on several occasions, in the past, but he had never seen the stoic CEO look so defeated before. Although he couldn’t fault the brunette for his tired and pallid appearance. Joey had no doubt that he’d probably took ten times worst if he’d ever had to live through anything like that with Serenity.
   As he rounded the corner of the private wing, Joey put his thoughts aside. He could see the two security guards standing outside Mokuba’s hospital room and deep within, the blond knew he would find Kaiba and the towering Personal Assistant that never left the brunette’s side. With a smile on his face and a lightness to his step, Joey nodded once to the two dauntless men at the door, before reaching for the handle and stepping inside.
   The blond was greeted by the sight of the raven-haired teen reclining, quietly, against a mountain of soft, fluffy pillows. And even though he looked ashen and pale, Joey decided that the younger Kaiba brother never looked better.
   Standing on the opposite side of the bed was the ever present bodyguard that Joey was becoming accustomed to seeing. He was speaking to Mokuba in low tones. His deep tenor barely audible across the expanse of the large room. And beside the Personal Assistant, the blonds’ blood was hanging from a metal stand. It’s tubing extended from the bottom of the bag, feeding life into the broken body of the raven-haired teenager. Other than the machinery, that continued to monitor Mokuba’s vital signs, and a few functionary pieces of furniture, there was nothing and no one else in the room.
   Joey frowned as he scanned the large space wondering where Kaiba could be. He noticed the glass wall and quickly search the adjoining waiting room for any signs of the stoic CEO but found nothing. His scowl deepened as honey-brown orbs turned back to focus on the only other occupants of the room.
   “‘Ey, w’ere’s Kaiba?”
   The blonds ernest question quickly caught and held the attention of the other two inhabitants. Roland immediately fell silent and stood to attention, folding both hands behind his back, while Mokuba’s head turned to zero in on Joey. A weak smile slowly appearing on the younger Kaiba’s face.
   “Hey Joey.” The raven-haired teen greeted. His voice sounded dry and hoarse but the expression on his face was friendly and welcoming. The blond could tell Mokuba was truly happy to see him. It filled him up with a warm, pleasant feeling and brought a delightful smile back to Joey’s face.
   “‘Ey kid, ‘ow ya feelin’?” The blond asked as he walked over to the hospital bed and gently squeezed the teen’s right hand.
   “Better, thanks to you.” Mokuba replied as he squeezed back. He was genuinely elated to see his friend and he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. Although, Joey thought he saw something else register in those soft blue-grey eyes of his.
   “‘Ey, naw prob’em, kid. Ya knaw I’d da anyding for ya.” The blond quipped as he dropped Mokuba’s hand and quickly reached up to playfully ruffle the teen’s raven tresses.
   The younger Kaiba brother slowly closed his eyes and accepted Joey’s good-natured teasing with a satisfied sigh. He was too tired to bat the blonds hand away. And after the disturbing news Roland had disclosed only a few moments ago, he was just happy not to have to face his recovery alone.
   An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Joey realized that no one had answered his previous question. Awkwardly, he cleared his throat and tried again.
   “Sa, w’ere’s Kaiba?”
   Another round of tense stillness was the blonds only response and Joey was beginning to get a little nervous, “‘Kay guys, w’at’s up?” He finally asked, afraid he wasn’t going to like the answer.
   Mokuba took a shuddered breath before he released a long, drawn out sigh. He slowly opened pained filled orbs and looked to his brother’s Personal Assistant, silently asking for help.
   “Roland?” He croaked, unable to finish the rest of his plea. A single tear escaped his blue-grey eyes and trickled down the side of his cheek. The only other evidence the blond had that something was horribly wrong.
   The towering brunette’s appearance faltered for the briefest of moments before the Personal Assistant’s stoic demeanour fell back into place. In an even, professional tone, Roland simply stated, “Mr. Kaiba has left the building.”
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Yu-Gi-Oh! Dragon Slayer