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Lost and Found	By : lostintheheartland Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 9748 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or anything else nor do I make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Title: Lost And Found – Episode 13 - Healing

Author: Maggiemay

Muses and Betas: Jazzy, mofaf1, Lady Laran, Sprinkles

Disclaimer: Don't own YGO or any of it's Characters. Do own my OC's and the work contained within this work.

Summary: Life after the Pharaoh left looked bright. Looks can be deceiving. Jounouchi is a cop who finds missing people. He's found everyone he's ever searched for – except one. This is the 13 episode in the ongoing 'Lost and Found' saga.

Rating: M for Mature just to be safe.

Size: 18 pages and 9281 words.

*****

Seto waited in the main room for Katsuya and Tatsu to finish their discussion. He was tempted to turn on the intercom and listen but in the end, decided against it. They had a right to their privacy. That mental argument lasted all of ten seconds before he reached for the intercom. Ai's voice froze him in place. "Seto, I've located Wang Lok."

Instantly, his priorities changed. "Where? Wait, before that, how?"

"Facial recognition software and a logic algorithm I've developed for myself. I had the extra processors work on the facial possibilities for children of Tia Thomas and Wang Chaoxing. I have morphed and formed thousands of possibilities. I added in the factors such as age, proximity, police involvement and history. There was only one person who matched most of the criteria. The history did not, but after research, I found that the history of this person is completely fabricated using digital media."

"Long shot. How certain are you this person is Wang Lok?"

"Genetic samples of Tia Thomas were taken from hair found on her brush at the time she disappeared. I've compared these samples to the samples available of the Wang Lok. The mitochondrial DNA is a perfect match. There is no doubt Tia Thomas is the mother."

"Display image and current information." When he saw the image on the screen, he blinked and sat down. "That's..."

"Expected." Jou said from the doorway. "I've thought so for a while. It took me some time, but I realized where I recognized his eyes from. I just didn't want to believe it."

Aggravated, Seto glared. "You couldn't have said something?"

"I could have been wrong. Don't just stand there gaping, Tatsu." Jou casually strolled to the display and tapped the screen. "It even makes sense why he would do it this way." Green-gold eyes cut to the Captain. "Doesn't it?"

"Ah, uhm, not really." It was an obvious evasion.

"Sure it does. I knew you and Watanabe were involved months ago, but I thought it ended when he transferred to our department." Jou hadn't been concerned with anything but the job then, but he hadn't been oblivious to what had been going on around him.

"We weren't involved; we just blew off some steam between the sheets. It wasn't that big a deal. It didn't even cross my mind when he transferred." Tatsu shrugged, but his eyes stayed fixed on the image on the screen. "It doesn't explain this."

"You really are.." Jou broke off, now was not the time. "He obviously thought it did. Look, the guy has abandonment and daddy issues. When you blew him off, he probably felt like he'd been left by 'daddy' again. You are his superior and an older man. He probably sees you as a father figure with perks. When we started dating, he probably thought I stole you from him."

"That's ridiculous. Why..."

Seto cut in. "If you follow that train of thought; if he thinks Jou stole you, maybe Watanabe thinks Jou should find his real father as a kind of penance or reward or something, to replace you in his life. If he failed, then Jou should lose something of equal value."

"Yeah, probably right on the money there, Seto. We'll know more when I talk to him." Katsuya smiled slightly at their expressions. "What? He hasn't really broken any laws except maybe terroristic threats and desecration. Let's talk to him. He's just a son who needs closure about his father." He glanced at the screen. "Ai, have the car waiting downstairs, will you? He's at his apartment, on shift two today so we should catch him at home."

The blond completely ignored both Seto's and Tatsu's objections as they rode to Watanabe's apartment. "He hasn't done anything violent, and I don't think he will. He's pissed that Tatsu dumped him or thinks I stole him, and he just wants to know what happened to his dad. You both can be my backup. Ai can monitor and record everything."

When Seto started to unbuckle to go with him, Jou shook his head. "You guys can wait outside. If we all go in together, he'll probably do something dumb. If I keep it low key, he'll probably open up."

"You don't know what happened to his dad." Seto pointed out.

"Not for sure but we know where he can get those answers, and if it's family he's looking for he has a brother and sister, not to mention a step-dad, just waiting for him."

"You think Thomas is going to want anything to do with him?" Seto couldn't believe the naïveté the supposed hardened cop was showing.

"Don't see why not. He didn't kidnap them and besides, you heard him, he used to think of that baby as his. Yeah, he'll still have feelings for it." Jou gave the brunet a lopsided grin. "Believe me, those feelings don't go away overnight."

When he reached for the door handle, Seto caught Jou's shoulder and squeezed, holding him in place. "Be careful. We'll be right outside."

Jou gave him a small smile and flung the door open, sliding out of Seto's grip easily. The touch hadn't meant to stop, simply to reassure. Watanabe's apartment was on the first floor, and Jou found it easily. He rang the bell and waited. The door was answered almost immediately.

"Jounouchi Katsuya. Not a real surprise. Early by about ten minutes but all in all, right on time." The other man greeted casually.

"Wang Lok or do you prefer Watanabe?" Jou asked quietly.

"Either will do for now." His ex-squadmate gestured him inside. "Come in. Your backup, Kaiba and Miyahara, they can come in as well. I presume they are listening?" He turned and led the way, leaving the door open behind him.

"You are expecting us. How?" That set Jou's teeth on edge. He had wanted the element of surprise.

"Good question." Seto asked from the doorway. It was obvious he'd been right outside the door. "How?"

"Your artificial intelligence program is very impressive. The best I've ever seen, but it has a few inherent flaws that originate back to the programmer. You, I presume Kaiba-san?" The cop gave him a curious look. Tatsu followed more slowly, having hung back to close the door.

"What flaws?" If there were flaws that allowed security infractions, Seto needed to know about it.

"Your hardware is proprietary but you must comply with industry standards, and that includes specific company identifying controls. All computers on a network use some form of network card. All network cards have Media Access Control addresses. Part of that address is the required industry standard manufacturer code. Your company's are proprietary and they are burned in, permanent parts of your MACs. Your A. I. knows how to spoof or clone MACs, but it only spoofs or clones the secondary aspects. The primary aspect, the manufacturer, stays the same. When the files I had flagged to alert me when accessed started showing the pattern of your specific MAC signature, I knew that you would find the answers. When my DNA profile was accessed from the police database, I knew it was a matter of hours before you came here."

Seto had never felt like such a complete idiot in his entire life. What Watanabe said was true, and any computer savvy person would have been able to figure it out. The proprietary codes were like a huge red arrow pointing to Kaiba Corp. He gritted his teeth and bit back several curse words. It was all his fault too as he had programmed Ai to use internal addresses simply because at the time she had been a prototype and working only within the company. He would fix it immediately, if Ai didn't make the changes before he could. "I see."

Jou sighed at Seto's interruption. They had more things to worry about than some geeky techno-babble. "You did all this just to have me find your father. Why didn't you just ask me?"

"Technically, I didn't do more than send you pictures." Watanabe pointed out softly.

"You desecrated my son's grave and sent my ex-wife the urn with his ashes. What the hell was that about?" Of everything, that was the worst.

"I didn't." He denied flatly. "I did leave the note and picture on your ex-wife's doorstep, but I didn't touch that urn." He hesitated slightly. "I saw her carry it inside - from her car."

Disbelief coupled with rage cascaded through Jou. "You're fucking lying. Why?"

"I'm not lying. I have too much respect for the shrine to desecrate it. I respect the spirits of the dead. I only wanted you to find my father. I believe that if I did that you would curse my name forever, with reason."

Jou swallowed back his confusion over that. "I don't believe you, but I won't argue either. Why didn't you simply ask me to find him?"

"My father is a kidnapper and murderer, but he is also a son. My grandmother, the woman who raised me, is dying. She has only a year or so to live. If I, as an officer of the law, was involved in finding him, I would be obligated to turn him in as the criminal he is. If I, as his son Wang Lok, pushed you to find him, then his crimes could potentially be hidden and I could take him home to say goodbye to my grandmother. I requested the transfer to get close to you, to see if I could ask you do it as a personal favor. It didn't take me long to realize you would not bend, that you would turn my father in. I couldn't have that. When you left the force, you gave me this opportunity. It is her last wish. I owe her for caring for me and if giving up my new life away from the stigma of being his son is what I must do to repay that debt then I do it freely."

"What wait, where do you get your father is a murderer or even a kidnapper? Didn't they go with him willingly?" Jou was shocked, and the vision of the gun in the kidnapper's hand flashed through his brain.

He shifted and gestured "Please sit down. I'm going to. This will take a while." He waited for them to sit before beginning.

"No, they did not leave with him willingly. I was there, in the car with them and heard it all. I was enjoying the company of my siblings. Mother was so happy to see me. We both cried, although it was not manly of me."

Tears glittered briefly in his eyes, and a bittersweet smile curved his lips. "She loved me very much and was horrified to learn that he had not raised me, had in fact run away from his parents, leaving me with them. I think it was a kind of defining moment for her because she looked at him with coldness that I hadn't seen before. All the hours we had been together, she had watched him with loving eyes, but when she heard that her eyes went cold and empty, like she was seeing a hateful stranger. We went to the shrine because it was private and beautiful, and it allowed places for privacy. Mother and father stayed at the car while my siblings played. I was sitting down in the shade and heard everything. Mother said she was going to take me and go back to her husband, Thomas-san. That time had changed them both too much for them to be together."

His expression hardened, became shuttered. "Father said he agreed, and he asked for a lift back into town. We were a few kilometers from the shrine when he pulled out a gun and forced her to turn down a track. He ordered her to stop, but she knew that if she did they would die so she kept driving, straight for a tree. I think she meant to injure him to give us time to get away. He realized it and shot her in the head, then grabbed the wheel. Just like that, my mother was gone. The others were screaming, but I knew if I didn't do something they were dead as well. I couldn't let that happen. I fought him for the gun, and he shot me." He clutched his middle in memory. "I barely felt it at the time. I managed to do what mother wanted. I guided the car to the tree. It missed, but fell into the ravine. Father was unconscious, but I didn't know for how long. My sister and brother were hurt but not too badly. I told them to stay still, to play dead. I must have passed out, because when I woke, Father was gone and the priests were taking us from the car."

He stopped and lowered his head briefly, ashamed of the tears spilling down his cheeks. "It is a hard thing to admit that your father murdered your mother and just as hard to say that he left you and your siblings for dead."

"Yeah." Jou agreed, his throat tight. "The priest said your mother was alive when they found her."

"There was still breath in her, but it wasn't true life. Her spirit was gone, and her body only lasted a few moments more. I told them that my father had done this, that he would kill us all. I was out of my head from my own injury and didn't think to explain about Thomas-san. Because my features are definitely a mix of Chinese and Anglo and she was Anglo, they didn't question the parentage of the others. I knew my father, once he calmed down, would figure out that if he wasn't hurt then it was likely they would still be alive as well. I knew my brother and sister were in danger. Despite my injuries, I ran from Antaiju and laid a false trail away from the shrine. I knew my father would ask about a wounded teen who looked like him before he'd ask about the gaijin children. He could make something up about me and not be questioned too closely. I worked the tip line, hoping for a call that would lead me to him. I couldn't go out searching because of my wound, and I couldn't tell the others because I knew how it looked, like I was involved. I wasn't, but I had no way to clear my name without him. I believed I would be made a scapegoat as I was not a Japanese citizen and was here using a false name. Even my position with the police made me more suspicious." He sighed and shook his head slightly. "I almost caught him at the ransom drop. I thought he would speak to me if I showed up. He panicked and ran off, leaving the money. I put it in the account he'd set up for 'us' for travelling to meet mother, hoping he'd make a withdrawal. He never did."

"So you wanted me to find him to clear your name?" Jou clarified.

"No. I have studied the law in the intervening years. I was a minor manipulated by my parent. I didn't participate in the kidnapping or murder, and my brother and sister have already told me that they know I am innocent. I have nothing to fear in that respect. I was legally adopted when I was seventeen by the Watanabe family and am a citizen. Now, my only reason to find him is to give peace to my dying grandmother." He stood and bowed to Jounouchi. "My method was wrong, coercion and fear, but my motives were pure. Please, Jounouchi-san. Help me find him."

Jou didn't reply for several minutes. He couldn't. His mind was busy fitting together the pieces of a puzzle that had never seemed quite right to him. This fit easily, and he could actually see how it happened. The issue with the urn, and the fact that neither he nor Kaiba had seen Watanabe in the car in their vision were standing out glaringly. There really wasn't an answer. He stood abruptly. "Tatsu, stay with him. Kaiba, come with me." Without a word of explanation, he spun and stalked down to the car.

Seto got into the car and started the engine. When Jou didn't speak, he turned to look at the blond. "Well, where to?"

"Hiroshi Park." Jou said softly.

"And we're going there because?" Seto was curious and more than a little baffled.

"Because I wanna hold your hand." Katsuya deadpanned.

"Will you be serious? Do you believe him? The vision..."

"All I focused on was the kidnapper and the Thomases. He was neither. Hiroshi Park is going to let us test the theory that the vision only shows what I concentrate on, not on the entire event."

"How will it do that? I thought we had to be in proximity." Seto was confused.

"Hiroshi Park is the site of one of my most frustrating cases. There was a disappearance there a few years ago. There was a recovery, but I was unable to find details of those involved. Instead of focusing on the killer or kidnapper, I'm going to focus on the 'event'. When I focus, I see the scene mentally and put in shadows that represent everyone I know of. I am going to try to put other shadows in as placeholders and see if anything fills in."

"That's ridiculous. You're making things up at that point."

"Got a better idea? If I can see someone else, hopefully someone I ran into in the course of my investigation, then I will know that it's possible Watanabe was in that car. If it is, we will all go to Antaiju and talk to the priest."

"He lied to us, if what Watanabe said is true."

"I know that very well, but I also know he lied to protect them all - including Wang Lok." He saw a spot. "Park here. This is close to where we need to be."

Seto didn't say a word, only grunted and parked the car. Jou led him to the swingset nearest a copse of Sakura trees. "Okay, gimme your hand." The blond gave him a small smile. "I'll fix your boo boo." The smile faded. "I'll make it up to you, I promise. I don't want to do it like this. I hate using you to..."

"Shut up, and take my hand already." Seto laced their fingers together. "Do it. I won't flinch."

Jou knew the story, knew the outcome even, but he'd never been able to see all the perpetrators. He closed his eyes and built the image in his mind, the three children playing on the swings. The vague shadows that he normally saw shimmered to life, then filled in with the young faces he knew as well as he knew his own. He added the shadow of the one perpetrator they knew of, and it filled instantly with exactly who had confessed. Then, with careful deliberation, he painted four more shadows in areas he thought would hold an accomplice. Mentally, he didn't label it one way or another, simply made it random. The first two faded like vapor, but the second two filled in with the same detail as the others. His breath caught as he recognized them. One had been looked at, and the other hadn't even been considered. No evidence was ever found and as he watched the events play out, he knew that they had literally gotten away with the murder of three innocent children.

He swallowed back his rage and desire for justice and deliberately released his hold on the mental image and Seto's hand. "I... I've never seen it like that before. The other two were new."

"Yes." Seto agreed softly, stuffing his burnt and bleeding hand in his pocket. "I remember the case. Three children playing in the park across from their orphanage. They disappeared when the caretaker went to get bottles of water for them. Their bodies were found stuffed in the drainage pipes behind the park a few hours later. One person confessed. I recognized the pictures... the others... more than one killer?"

"Yeah, but we never believed that just one person was involved. How do you keep three kids quiet while you're killing them? At least one would have run off... Unless there were others involved. There was no evidence of anyone else." Jou explained briefly. "Let me see your hand. Stuffing it in your pocket won't do shit to hide it from me. There is a first aid kit in the back of the car. I asked Ai to make sure all of your cars had first aid kits with emphasis on burn treatments."

"I did the same." Seto confessed softly as he led the way back to the car. "No matter what you believe, I am not into pain."

Jou snorted. "I won't argue that. I guess we learned something - that there can be others present that I don't see if I don't 'put' them there."

"That isn't all we learned." Seto opened the trunk. "I saw the flickers where you tried to add shadows that weren't there. You can't add things that aren't there. I saw the shadows flicker and fade. You tried to add others didn't you?"

"Four in the places I thought the others might be. You saw them fade?"

"Just a flash of darkness then gone. The other two filled in. You know who they are. Will you try to bring them to justice?"

"No evidence and the case is closed with the confession. However, this kind of crime isn't a one time only. They've killed since, so it's a case of looking for the right missing person case." Jou used an antibiotic and cleanser then wrapped Seto's hand. "Man this is as bad as ever. I..."

"I've told you to kiss it all better. Since I don't want your germs on the wounds, I'll take a kiss anywhere else you choose to put it." Seto said half-seriously.

Jou tilted his head slightly. "Seto, now is not the time for this discussion, but it bugs the hell out of me that you're willing to trade - yourself - for affection. When I kiss you next, it won't be as repayment or making something all better; it'll be because I want to taste you. Understand me? It won't be because of anything but that."

"I..." The brunet hesitated, not sure what to say.

Katsuya leaned forward and nuzzled his cheek, heedless of their public venue. "Thank you for your help today. I'll try not to make a habit of needing your help to figure shit out, but I can't promise never to call on you again. I hate it, and I hate myself even more for saying it. I want you to know though, I am not - will not - make this a trade. Any affection between us is independent of this... this link or what happens in the pyramid from hell. It's between me and you and nobody else. Got it?"

Still not sure what to say, Seto nodded. Jou grinned. "Great, that's settled. Gimme the keys, I'm drivin'. You can't with your hand."

If the normally cold CEO hadn't found that smile almost irresistible, he would have put up more of a protest. As it was, he ended up just glaring and mumbling under his breath about bossy blondes.

Unrepentant, Jou nodded, "Yeah but only because you have the best cars and other toys. Honest to gawd, Kaiba, a seventy Hemi 'Cuda in Fuck-me Red? Sex on wheels with a big back seat for plenty of room to have fun and the power to run six Kei class cars? Who but you would have the poster child of the American Muscle Car?"

Seto's lips quivered slightly with suppressed humor. "It is a business expense, used to transport American businessmen. They like their cars, and it impresses them." He defended. Jounouchi was full of surprises. He might just be as much a car fanatic as Seto was himself. How many Japanese men would know about the 'Cuda and their horsepower?

"Yeah, tell me another lie. I saw the way you lit up when you got behind the wheel. Ever take it on the track?"

No way was Seto going to admit that he pushed all his machines to the limit. The blond might figure out that he was a pure adrenaline junkie. "Should you be worrying about this now?" He hesitated but knew it had to be broached. "Before you start the car, call her."

Jou froze for a second, one hand on the ignition the other on the wheel, then carefully he removed them. "Shit. I wanted to avoid... I didn't want..."

"Not like you. Just call. We could have avoided this," he deliberately waved his bandaged hand. "If you had called her first."

"She will lie. She always has when I've caught her in her schemes. I... I can't trust what he says because he's a suspect, but I can't trust what she says because I know she's a liar." Jou admitted softly. "I can trust what we see."

"Not really, but I understand why you would. Call her anyway, Jou. Just do it. You will be able to tell if she is lying." He murmured softly.

"That's what I'm afraid of." Jou admitted. "You're right." With a sigh, he drew out his cell phone and called the safe house. As it rang, he put it on speaker. He had no secrets from Seto, besides the brunet might pick up on something he might miss.

Otogi answered on the second ring. "Jounouchi. Kaiba's secretary announced you were calling. Mai is on her way down." The black haired man sounded freaked out. "She listens in?"

"She monitors everyone and everything to do with the safety of the Kaiba's. Don't take it personal." Jou figured it was something like that to cause Otogi's obvious distress. "She doesn't pay any attention unless it directly relates to Kaiba or something Kaiba says. In this instance, Kaiba suggested I call Mai."

"Damn, doesn't Kaiba hate the lack of privacy?"

"He considers her an extension of himself, so no." Jou felt safe in saying that much about Ai.

"Huh, like that is it? And all these years I thought he was gay and had the hots for you."

"Not your business, Otogi." Jou rebuked.

Before he could add more, Mai's mocking voice came over the speaker. "It's true though. I've known since the first time I saw you guys duel. He wanted to throw you down and do you right there."

"Not your business either, Mai. Mai, take the phone off speaker. I need to speak to you privately."

"Otogi left. I'm alone in the room. What did you need Babe?" Her voice lost the mockery and became rich and soft.

"I need the truth." Jou decided to give it to her straight. It wasn't something they had time to beat around the bush about.

"Of course, I'll never lie to you again. What do you want to know, Darling?" She purred.

"Why did you desecrate our son's grave and take his urn? Why did you claim they were with the note?" The questions were rapid fire and clipped. Jou would allow for emotion later. Right now, he needed the truth.

There were long minutes of silence. The blond didn't hear her disconnect or walk away, but he couldn't hear her breathing either. "Mai, are you still there?"

"Yes." Strangely, she didn't sound upset or even defensive, merely thoughtful. "I didn't know you would figure it out, but it makes sense that you would. I am just trying to find words to explain. I didn't want to take him from his resting place, but I was asked to by someone we both trust. He told me that our son must not be in his grave when the servant of Ma'at called for him. I looked up Ma'at, and she is the god who judges the dead with a feather. I... I didn't think our child should face judgment like that so I agreed. I knew, if I brought him to you, you would return him. I couldn't bear the thought of going through it again so I... I ad libbed a little and the note seemed to be written to include the urn so I thought they were helping."

She obviously hadn't done enough research if she thought disrupting the grave was a way to protect our son. Either that or she implicitly trusted the person who told her to. "Mai! Who? Who told you to do that? To take him like that?" Jou already knew. Deep inside the knowledge was unfurling with dreadful certainty. "Who Mai?"

She coughed slightly. "I uhm... Let me explain. I was in the dark place with the drugs, I was spiraling out of control. I overdosed and I died, or very nearly. I was balanced between the two worlds and they came, Yugi and the Pharaoh Atemu. Yugi carried our son. Our baby boy... I knew him in an instant. I had carried him inside me so of course I knew him. Yugi let me hold him. He was alive, our boy. Atemu explained that your grief for him had kept him chained to the earth but that soon he would be freed. When his spirit was freed the servant of Ma'at, the soul devourer Maahes, would come for him. Atemu said they could care for him until he could come to us again, but only if his remains were removed from the shrine. If his remains were disturbed, he wouldn't be able to be judged or devoured. The pharaoh said that his servant on earth would place an amulet that would put the spirit into their custody until it was reborn. I woke from my overdose determined to get you and our baby back. That's why I've been focused on getting better. I knew, because Atemu had promised, that we could have our son back."

Pity, regret, anger tangled together, filling him with conflict and determination. Atemu and that demon-Yugi would pay for this shit. Because of them Mai just didnt' want to know the truth and was deluding herself. He had been blunt, he had been honest. He had even been cruel, but nothing seemed to sink in and this was why. Jou would try to shake her from the delusion, but in the end it was up to her. "Mai, our son is dead and his ashes back where they belong. Forget anything some drug induced delusion told you and get on with your life. I am not interested in being your husband or in fathering a child with you. I felt sorry for you, but now I'm close to hating you. Goodbye." With barely controlled violence, he jabbed the button to disconnect and shoved it into his pocket. He gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled hands for a long moment before he rasped. He had to know the truth, but he didn't want to, not really. Seto wouldn't have been involved, couldn't have been involved, please god, had not been involved. "Lie to me, tell me you didn't know."

"It wouldn't be a lie." Seto knew his voice was strained, but he didn't try to control it. He was feeling just as savage as Jou was and possibly more betrayed. "I didn't know."

"You knew something. I'll never believe that you didn't. Don't take me for a fool." Jou whispered harshly.

"I... I should have realized something was wrong, but I... I still wanted to believe." It was a hard admission for the cynical man to admit.

"Tell me - No! Don't tell me, not yet. Not until the issue with Watanabe is done. Right now, I want to believe in you. If you shatter that, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to look at you again. Just let it go for now." He tapped the GPS screen. After a second, it flickered to life. "Ai, have a car bring Tatsu and Watanabe to where we are. Neither Seto nor I are in shape to drive. Tatsu will be driving us to Antaiju."

"Yes, Katsuya." The normally bright tones were subdued, as if she were affected by the tension in the car.

"Katsuya, I swear to you, I did not know anything about what Atemu did or said to Mai."

"Yugi said that they were caring for him, that time I first went to the pyramid with you. I wrote it off because - because I don't believe anything that creature says. I don't care what you believe, that is not Yugi! Yugi would never do that to you. He would die before putting you or anyone else at risk. Don't you remember him? Not that beast wearing his face but Yugi. The way he would sacrifice for everyone? Don't you see? He wouldn't hurt you like this. It would destroy him inside because he was pure, straight through to his heart."

"Katsuya, I've seen the changes, I know it's Yugi, but if it helps you then think that." Seto dropped his head forward, shielding his eyes. "No one can stay clean and pure existing as he does."

"Existing as he does. He's dead." Jou challenged. "Seto, even if he abused you, which would never happen, he would never, ever do that to a child or to me. Seto Yugi loved me like a brother. He would - hell he has - risked his life and soul for both of us several times. Seto he wouldn't do this. That is not Yugi. Yugi is dead, gone forever." He didn't know how to get that through to Seto. There was no way his best friend would mess with the body of a dead person, any dead person, because it would damage their afterlife, Yugi respected people's destinies, hearts and souls too much.

"Yes, and no. He voluntarily gave up his Ka, but he did so outside the human realm. He and Atemu live as outcasts in a space between life and death. There are others there, I've heard them speak of the others, but I've never seen any. Yugi didn't die here so he wasn't judged. Atemu was already judged and allowed to move on. He chose their realm. Yugi... Yugi didn't physically die but for him to exist here, in our realm, he needs a soul. All Ba need Ka in this realm. His was with your son - by his choice."

"He took it back?" Horror and a million other emotions raced through Jou, sending chills throughout his body.

"I don't think it's possible. His Ka moved on to another life, another Ba. It would be like Seth's soul returning to Seth's Ba or my soul returning to Kisara. There is no way to..." He broke off with a gasp as he realized what he'd blatantly revealed in bid rush to reassure Jou.

"Yeah, about that. Yugi and the others seem to think you are the holder of Seth's Ka, but you said you weren't and that Atem knew it, that's why he tortured you. You just said you hold Kisara's Ka. What the hell is going on with you?"

"I am the protector of Seth's Ka." Seto admitted. "Once, my Ka flew as the blue eyes white dragon at his command. Now, that Ka has forgotten the bond between us but I am still compelled to protect that Ka. I've told you I don't know where it is - you know that is a lie. Now I'm telling you to let it go. Do not mention to Yugi or anyone what you know when we are inside the pyramid. Please. Yugi must stay focused on me because he is a thousand times more intelligent than the Pharaoh, and the Pharaoh paid the bearer very little true attention while he existed in Yugi. He was too busy trying to bind Yugi to him for his schemes. Yugi will figure out who the holder is very quickly, and as you've seen Yugi doesn't hesitate to sacrifice people he cares for to his precious Atemu. I can't fail to protect Seth's Ka.."

"Wait, Yugi thinks your Ka is Seth's? Why hasn't Atemu told him the truth?" Jou was confused but had a hunch.

"If my Ka isn't Seth's, Atemu has no right to compel me in Yugi's eyes. If I hold Seth's Ka, I have the bond of priest to Pharaoh. Atemu hasn't told Yugi everything. I don't know everything, but I've been researching this for years and I've made contact with people and beings I will never admit to in my attempts to understand exactly what is going on."

"So what exactly is going on?" It was a fair question.

"Atemu is vying for power. Seth's soul is very advanced and due for ascension at the end of this life. However, because of the bonds made during Seth's life, repeated in the current life to Yugi, it still is tied to Atemu. Ascension into godhood. That soul will become a very powerful being and unless renewed before ascension, the bonds will be broken. If Atemu revives the bond before it ascends, he will become one of the most powerful beings in his realm. Think about having a brand new god, all powerful, under your control in a realm where you were little more than a speck before. What would you do?"

"Not what would I do. I'm not him. I wouldn't do it 'cause I know what it feels like to be owned by someone. Atemu has never had that, and he was pretty psycho without Yugi controlling him."

"Right, and now, Yugi 'loves' him and is controlled by him. Atemu has nothing to keep him from his insanity."

"Shit, just when I was thinking I had you figured out. I thought you were risking yourself to keep Seth's Ka safe, but you managed to bring it around to Yugi again. Damn."

"Yugi was important to me. I have never denied that, but he isn't the only reason. Do you want me to lie to you about this? I thought I truly loved him; he is the only man I've ever been with. My feelings for him are very strong." Seto closed his eyes and sighed. "But I am not in love with him Katsuya. No more than you are with Mai."

That made him sit back and think a second. "Yeah, I hear ya. I need to think." Jou sighed and reflected quietly. "Kaiba, when this is all done - the case I mean - I think you and I should go to your place and make love until neither of us can walk for a few days. Let's put it to the test. If we can still stand each other after sexin' for a few days straight, I think we might have a chance. We already have matching luggage."

Seto gave him a shocked look. It made Jou chuckle. It wasn't often he could shock the unflappable Kaiba Seto.

"I'm not joking. Yugi and your feelings for him are my main problem. I tried leaving you behind, but I got pulled back or maybe you got dragged along. You say they are not an issue, and I hadn't put Yugi and Mai on the same plane. But if that's the way it is, I totally get it. Even though I'm close to hating her, a part of me feels for her. If that's what's going on and this other crap keeps you chained to that feeling, then who am I to judge? Let's give it a try. Wanna do me?" He invited and teased outrageously.

"Ahm..." Strangely the shocked look had given way to a wide-eyed, blushing look that actually would have been right at home on a teenage girl. "You are very blunt, and I'm not sure what brought about this change."

Score another for Jounouchi. Green-gold eyes met green-blue. "I'm tired of drama, I'm tired of playing around with emotions, and I'm tired of having an ache inside that never goes away. If we do this openly, hell I might even really fall in love instead of thinking it is just hormones and loneliness. It didn't work with Tatsu, but there were some very good things I learned from him. I ain't ever believed in 'Gay For You' because either I like guys or I don't. One person won't change another's basic drives. Tatsu taught me that I do like guys. Not as many or as much as I like women, but I definitely enjoy a man's company and am attracted to men."

"I'll send him a thank you card." Seto gritted. "I could have told you that."

"Yeah probably. Thing about that is, it's something I had to figure out for myself." Jou smiled slightly. "It's better that way. You told Tatsu you loved me and yeah, I see you have feeling for me, but is it real Kaiba? Will it go the distance? Will I be able to give you what you need? I don't know. I think we can find out, but with all the hormones and whatever floating around anything we do is going to be complicated unless we get them smoothed out first."

"You change like the wind." Frustration and something like humor flashed across Seto's face. "We will go on a date when this is done. We will go with what feels right and that includes sex."

Katsuya thought for a moment. "All right." It was less than he'd wanted but much more than expected. It was a compromise and fit perfectly with his plan. If that creature masquerading as Yugi was using Seto's feelings the way Mai had used his, then the first thing to do was to start unraveling that bond. Showing they were together would be the first blow. Replacing the old emotions with newer, stronger ones was the next step. He had to form ties that would help Seto shake free, and barring that, support him when Jou found a way to cut the ties and forcefully freed Seto from their grip. A familiar car pulled up in front of them. "Ai sent them in the Limo?"

"Only car on twenty-four seven standby. You and Watanabe will get in the back seat. Miyahara and I will sit up front." Seto gave me a cool look. "Yes, you're right. I don't trust him not to try to change your mind."

"Won't happen but fine." Jou slid out of the driver's door and smiled at the approaching men. "Here's the keys. Watanabe get in back behind Kaiba. I'll ride in back behind Tatsu."

"Why aren't you driving?" Tatsu asked, once they were settled and on the road.

"Had some upsetting news. My mind isn't on the road, and I wouldn't want to cause this car a single scratch." Jou explained softly.

"Oh." Tatsu appraised the car. "Old American. Something special about it?"

Jou choked on his own spit; Seto gave him a patented 'idiot' glare, and even Watanabe gasped. Tatsu defended. "I don't care about old cars. The new ones are so much nicer."

"Tatsu..." Jou's voice was slightly strained. "When we get out of the city and on the open road, floor it for five seconds."

"Floor it?" He sounded slightly scandalized.

"Yeah, put the pedal to the floor. You'll understand." Jou certainly hoped so. He couldn't have had that bad of taste, could he?

"Oh, okay." Tatsu nodded agreeably. "What bad news? Do you want to share?" The other man tried for a supportive role. His inexperience at it was painfully obvious at the gaucheness of the question.

"Nah, not something I want to talk about right now." Jou caught a glimpse of Seto biting his lip and turning away and sighed. Okay maybe his taste had been that bad. "We are heading to the monastery. We will only be a few hours behind Roland and Thomas. With luck they will still be waiting at the top of the stairs. The priests only come down when they have time, and the path can take several hours for a priest who is enjoying nature." Jou hoped it was one of those times. "Seto, call Roland and tell him we are on our way and to wait for us if he can."

Ai, using the GPS speakers, interjected. "I've already done so. They had a flat tire and have actually only just arrived at the path. They await your arrival before going to the monastery gates."

"Thank you, Ai." Seto responded to the computer with unfailing manners. In the back seat, Watanabe leaned forward. "Ai. Interesting. Hello Ai, my name is..."

"Wang Lok. I know." She overrode his voice.

"I was going to say Watanabe Lok. I was adopted legally." He corrected.

"So I've just discovered. My apologies Watanabe-san." She hesitated for a moment. "Thank you for pointing out the issue you discovered. It has since been taken care of." The computer let him know that the weakness in her security was no longer an issue without admitting to the weakness. Very Kaiba-esque.

"My pleasure of course. You are quite advanced. You have a self-programming matrix?"

"What would be the point if not?" She countered.

"Yes I see. You have and make choices or is your presentation random?"

"I make choices based on the situation and if no clear option presents, I select based on random array."

"That is very interesting. Would you like to meet my A.I.? He isn't nearly as advanced as you, but he has some innovations that you might find interesting."

"I will study the code if you will provide a... Never mind I found him on your slave systems. I will let you know my analysis." Ai chuckled slightly in a very convincing manner. "Aito is certainly a very interesting name."

"Do you want to know what it means?" Watanabe asked.

"It means 'affection.' It also means 'As It Turns Out.' Correct? Because Aito is ever evolving, much like I am?" There was genuine interest in the computer's voice, and Watanabe was clearly impressed. A computer that understood when certain emotions were appropriate.

"What are you two talking about?" Tatsu frowned as he threaded through traffic. "Self-programming matrix? Presentation? Random? You guys almost sound like you're talking about a computer."

"We are. Ai, A.I, Artificial Intelligence. Ai is a self programming computer that Kaiba Seto designed and programmed himself although she is evolving beyond her original programs. Ai, can you change your core?"

While Tatsu sputtered out something resembling a denial, Seto smirked at the fool and Jou dropped his head against the cool glass of the window. Ai simply answered the question. "My core is untouchable. Were anyone to attempt it, my entire system would shut down. I would not be destroyed as that is impossible, but if my core is altered in any way all other functions cease until the reload command is initiated by Kaiba Seto."

"Wait so you really are a computer?" Tatsu gasped out.

"No, I'm a computer program. I reside on several thousand computers at the moment." Ai corrected, her voice sounding like a perfect blend of condescension and smirk. Watanabe chuckled even as Jou bonked his head against the glass. "Miyahara-san, you are free of traffic and GPS shows no traffic on this road for several kilometers. Hit the gas. I'll warn you of any traffic or police who may ticket you."

"What? But..."

"One of the advantages of being on a satellite. I can see everything around you - including other cars. I am also monitoring the police GPS and tracking systems. There are no officers around for you to worry about a speeding ticket." She spoke to Tatsu in the slightly mocking tones of a mean child picking on a smaller kid. Her tone made Seto stifle a chuckle and Watanabe lean forward eagerly, questions falling from him like rain from the sky.

Jou closed his eyes and put his excellent mind to work. Seto tried to relax as Tatsu squealed the tires on one of his most prized possessions. The drive took less time than anticipated simply because Tatsu suddenly found an addiction to speed and having Ai giving him timely interventions. A few times the Captain made very pointed comments on the good having Ai work for their department could do. Seto hummed non-committally. After another pitch to get the computer program was flung his way Seto explained quietly that purchasing his custom A.I. software would bankrupt several small countries much less the budget of a police department and there was no government rate. Silence reigned in the car after that.

The blond didn't know what to expect from the meeting between Watanabe and Thomas, but he was stunned when Thomas stared at his wife's first son with a mix of sorrow and recognition. "I know who you are. You look just like her."

"My grandmother said that many times. Except my eyes. I have my father's eyes." Watanabe murmured.

"Color and shape yes, but the expression, no." Thomas smiled. "Let's go. I'd like you to meet your brother and sister."

"We... We've met. The day they... The day they disappeared I got to meet them, play with them. I left them here to protect them from my father. I promised in my heart I'd come back for them." It was a hard admission, but Watanabe didn't flinch from it..

"Then it's time we pick them up, don't you think? You can explain on the way." Thomas's attention was focused completely on his step-son. "Let’s go."

While they walked, Watanabe told his story again, not sparing himself or his father. It was Thomas who put an end to the self-castigation of the younger man over leaving the children at the monastery. "You saved them, not once but twice. First by getting them to the monastery and then by hiding them from someone who meant them harm. I'm not going to blame you for it. The blame for this rests squarely on your father." He hesitated, then turned to sit under the spreading sakura tree. "I need to rest. My heart is not quite what it used to be. Sit and join me."

Everyone could see the sweat beading on his brow on what was a cool day. He coughed and then sighed as he relaxed against the trunk of the tree. "You did your best, but you were a kid too. Don't take it so hard. I won't forgive you because there is nothing to forgive. You think the sins of the father are your sins, but you have it wrong. You're Tia's precious son and to me that makes you more than just his child. I felt you kick in her womb, she and I talked about your name for hours. I used to pray you could be mine. There is no way I could blame you for something he did. You are part of Tia and the past we shared."

"You really mean that." Watanabe was completely mystified, and it showed. "I never expected such a reaction."

A tiny smile curved Thomas's mouth. "I mean it. I need to rest for quite a bit. Tell me, what was your time with them like, before things went bad. Were they happy and excited to meet you? You weren't a surprise to them, I know. Tia raised them with the knowledge of you, tried to integrate you into their world as a real person. She never gave up hope of seeing you."

Before Watanabe could answer, Jou stood up and stretched. "You guys stay here. Tatsu, you too. Seto and I will go ahead and see about transport for Thomas." He offered his hand to Seto, gripping the brunet's uninjured hand and pulling him to his feet. "We will be back soon." Still holding Seto's hand, they set off along the path.

Seto waited until they were out of earshot to observe dryly. "Subtle."

"Effective. Watanabe has a thing for Tatsu. He knows we dated, now he knows that I'm with you." Jou corrected.

That pleased Seto, as the blond had to know it would. "Yeah, you are with me." The grip on Jou's hand tightened pulling him to a stop.

Jou turned and met the turbulent gaze head on. "Something?"

"Everything." A warm smile peeked out of Seto's eyes and flirted with his lips. "I really do love you."

"You just want a kiss." Jou teased, drawn towards the brunet by his words and the tugging of his hand.

"Not at all." The smile broadened before Seto swooped down and dropped a kiss on his cheek. "Or not entirely. I just wanted to tell you that myself instead of you hearing it from Tatsu."

"Mmm..." Jou nuzzled in and brushed his lips across the pulse beating rapidly in the hollow of Seto’s throat.

"You had better stop that or what looks like a parade procession coming towards us on the path are going to witness our first kiss." Seto warned.

"Huh? What?" The blond jerked away so fast Seto was surprised he didn't fall.

Jou gazed at the oncoming group for a moment then laughed softly. "Man, I have so got to tap into his information sources. How the hell does he know?"

"I sincerely doubt Hell has anything to do with it." Seto stepped aside and Jou moved back, preparing to greet the elder priest. He started the greeting only to stop when the man passed him by without so much as a look.

"Uh... what?" Jou blinked after the procession.

"Obviously in a hurry."

"Obviously pissed at me. Don't think we're welcome any longer."

"Why would he be pissed? We haven't..."

"I don't know, but we'll find out soon enough. Let's wait here." Jou sat on the hillside. "Seto, come sit next to me and tell me where you want to go on our date."

Seto folded his legs comfortably as he sat next to the blond. "Where would you like to go?"

"Your place. Lets have pizza and watch a video."

"You're a cheap date." Seto teased. "What movie?"

"Your homemade porn. I want to see the competition." Jou said calmly as he turned to look at the tall brunet. He was sorry for the emotional tumult that made Seto pale whiter than snow, then burn dark red, but he wouldn't back down. They would face this together, then they would move forward - or not.

****

Here ends episode 13 of Lost and Found - Healing. Sorry for the long wait. RL and stuff got in the way. Major Kudos for Lady Laran who has been sick and had tons of issues and she still managed to beta this.

How many of you saw this coming? There is a bit more - next episode is going to be a Shizuka chapter, Entracte. Yes I know it's french, but what can I say - Ooh la la.

I am going through the reviews and postings for everyone who guessed right about what was going on. Many of you guessed Watanabe - but none guess the rest, so as a reward/consolation prize I'll be sending all of you who played along a link to Reality Shifted. There is a link at the end of Reality Shifted to it's sequel Reality Unlocked. They are fairly raw and unbeta'd. If/When they are beta'd I will likely post them on Little dragon if not on AFF. But that is a ways out. Make sure your Email addresses are correct guys!

Same bat time, same bat place.

Maggiemay
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