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I Know You're Out There Somewhere	By : Firewing Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 3536 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh!, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Chapter 18 Mokuba in the Middle

Warnings: This warning is for Seto Kaiba-Don�t leave Mokuba home alone with Jou.
Disclaimer: Ho hum�I don�t own any rights to the Yugioh franchise.
��
Early that same morning in Domino, Joey was dreaming of the fire that had burned his heart far worse than his hands.
On the second floor trying to deny the truth that his dad was gone and prepared to slip away himself, he heard a woman�s voice call out to him. He reluctantly opened his eyes and found himself in a place of darkness without smoke, fire, or searing heat.
A beautiful woman with eyes the color of the summer sky wore a red velvet medieval gown and a smile. As she approached Jou, he saw a great shape move behind her that blended into the darkness. Apprehension gripped him with icy claws. The lady in red brought the creature forward on a slender gold tether. Jou could hear harsh scraping noises on the invisible floor as the enormous creature moved. Its breath was a hot wind.
�Don�t be afraid, Joseph. He�s an old friend of yours.� The woman�s smile was both tender and mischief-filled.
Twin ruby orbs appeared to float in mid-air above Jou�s head.
�Red Eyes�� Jou whispered in awestruck wonder.
The majestic black dragon lowered his snout and the golden blonde lady stroked it tenderly. Joey couldn�t seem to find his feet so he crawled to his beloved Duel Monster instead. The dragon snorted and nuzzled the boy�s face as Jou wrapped his arms around the powerful neck.
�Oh, Red Eyes�I can touch you�� And Joey woke up still feeling the strong steady rhythm of the powerful pulse of the noble dragon�s heart.
�Aaah, crap! For once I have a cool dream and I wake up in the middle of it!� Jou complained to the empty apartment.
��

Over the last couple of weeks Joey had settled into his new life. During the first week he spent most of his time catching up on homework. The chauffer, Andre, would retire as soon as Joey was out of school for the summer. The gardener/landscaper/handyman, Philip, reminded Jou of Yugi�s grandfather, a bit cantankerous, but very likeable.
The second week, Jou started driving Mokuba to and from school. Kaiba put the silver Mustang in Joey�s name sagely telling him that he needed to learn responsibility. Mokuba giggled on the way to school while he told Jou that Seto bought the car for him in the first place. This only made Joey more uncomfortable, but he had to admit it was better than taking a limo to school every day.
Yesterday, Tristan literally fell out of his chair when Joey started explaining a particularly gnarly algebra problem to the class. After class, Tristan grabbed Joey by the shoulders and shook him roughly.
�Who are you? What have you done with Joey?� Tristan demanded. Joey doubled over laughing.
Jou had asked if Kaiba would mind if Serenity spent at least part of the summer break at the Kaiba estate and even mentioned that he would like to take her to the beach for a weekend. A few days later when the three of them were having supper, Kaiba told the two younger teens that they were going on a two-week beach vacation. Jou could invite his friends to spend all or part of it with them as long as Tristan and Bakura minded their p�s and q�s. He would fly a chopper to the States to pick up Serenity and had already made arrangements with Maria Wheeler, telling her exactly where she could get off when she started to argue with him in his usual tactful manner.
Mokuba immediately ran for the phone to call their private physician and Joey went for Tylenol and a thermometer because both of them were certain that the workaholic, ambition-driven, anti-vacation CEO was seriously ill. Seto scowled at the two of them complaining that Mokuba was always trying to get him to loosen up and then when he did everybody went into a panic. Jou and Mokuba had exchanged looks in silent agreement that perhaps it was in their best interest to just go along with Seto�s plans.
Mokuba and Joey had become like two peas in a pod chatting easily about video games, school, and friends. Every chance they had they made use of the swimming pool, goofing off, and generally acting like the kids they were. Mokuba also frequently hung out in the garage helping Joey wash, wax, and detail the already immaculate vehicles. One day Jou even took Mokuba to school on the back of his Harley.
After an initial shopping spree, Joey discovered he didn�t really need much money. He bought a stereo and a stereo stand, a few Cds, clothes, and groceries. He usually ate supper with the Kaiba brothers and spent much of his free time with Mokuba at the mansion.
But he was not oblivious to the effect his growing bond with Mokuba was having on Seto. Jou saw the jealous glances Seto gave them when he thought he was unobserved. He seemed to become quieter and more resistant to being drawn into Mokuba and Joey�s conversations and activities as time went on. Jou pretended that he didn�t see it and that he didn�t care or want to reach out to his cerulean-eyed guardian.
��..
He finally rolled out of bed, giving up on recapturing his dream and headed out to the kitchen. Jou discovered Mokuba sitting on the steps with a piece of paper in his hand. He looked upset.
�Hey, Mokuba. What�s up?�
�Seto left on a business trip. He didn�t say good-bye, or where he was going, or when he�d be back.�
Mokuba handed Joey the piece of paper. He read it and then read it again.

Mokuba,

I had to leave on an unexpected business trip. Jou will look after you.

Seto

Joey frowned. �Let�s see if he left us e-mail.�
�I checked mine. He didn�t� Mokuba followed the blonde into the apartment.
Jou got into his e-mail account and sure enough there was a message from Seto. The time signature was a bare five minutes earlier.
�I�ll bet he�s left you a message too.� Jou grinned. �He just sent mine.� Mokuba nodded relieved.
Jou�s message read:

Mutt, If any harm comes to my brother while I�m gone, you will be collared, chained, and staked out in the backyard like the dog you are. Kaiba

�Yeah, and he�s putting an awful lot of faith in this dog.� Joey grumbled.
Mokuba grinned and then, before he could stop himself, he said, �You know he loves you, don�t you?� Kaiba�s kid brother immediately clamped his hands over his mouth and he tried to hold back the giggles at the shocked look on Jou�s face. �Whoops.�
�How do you know? How long have you known?� Joey asked wide-eyed.
�Well, I�m not exactly a baby. I�ll be fourteen in July. And I�ve known for almost two years.�
�What!? We�ve only known each other for two years. He hated me instantly!�
�Did he?� Mokuba asked quietly, �Or was it love at first sight?�
�The first thing he said to me was an insult!�
�Joey, you don�t understand Seto at all.� Mokuba responded sadly. It broke his heart that Seto always had to be so strong, so in control. He had panicked a little at first when he discovered his brother was in love with another guy. The idea of his tough, cool brother being homosexual was a shocking wake up call to Mokuba, but at the same time it also meant that Seto still needed human contact beyond his brother, which was healthy. As Mokuba had gotten to know Joey he began to believe that the blonde was exactly what his brother needed. They were such total opposites and yet they had a lot in common too, tough guy images and bonehead stubbornness, an uncommon love of dragons and Duel Monsters. So Mokuba watched and waited hoping against hope that others would see Seto for himself and not the image he projected. Especially Joey. He hated seeing the two of them in constant conflict and knew that his brother would never make a move on the blonde unless he knew he would not lose. Now that Jou lived on the estate Mokuba hoped it wouldn�t take them too long to get on the same wavelength. He kept thinking Jou would figure it out for himself, but so far Seto was just becoming more guarded and withdrawn and Joey spent all of his time with Mokuba. What was a too smart for his own good little brother to do? It looked like he was just going to have to give Seto�s puppy a few lessons�
�You�re right, Mokuba, I don�t understand him. Why don�t I scramble us some eggs and you can enlighten me?�
�That would be great, Joey!� Mokuba went to the computer to check for e-mail from his brother and found it. �Seto�s in Tokyo. He left the name of the hotel and the phone number. He has his cell phone, but says not to call unless it�s an emergency.�
�Feel better?� Jou asked.
�Yeah, lots.�
��.
Mokuba sat at the table for a long time after breakfast was over and told Joey as much as he knew and remembered of the Kaiba brothers� history. He did okay until he got to the point when Gozaburo turned on the small ebony haired boy.
�I didn�t understand why Seto hated Gozaburo so much. I used to get so jealous of all the special attention Seto always got. He was privately schooled at home with special tutors and he got to take a lot of business trips to exotic places with Gozaburo. I had to go to school. I thought it was so unfair.� Mokuba sniffed, �And then there was that horrible day�it happened on the third floor of the mansion. That�s where our bedrooms used to be�before.� Mokuba continued slowly. His prussian eyes were large both with hurtful memories and a fear of Jou�s reaction. The consequences of revealing the truth could cause Joey to irrevocably despise his big brother and forever put him beyond Seto�s reach. Seto would be mortified if ever found out what Mokuba so desperately needed to share with Joey. He met the amber brown eyes looking for encouragement.
Joey was beginning to realize that Mokuba had a deep and dreadful secret. �Mokuba, you don�t have to tell me anything that you don�t want to, okay? But I�m here if you do want to talk. I swear I won�t tell a soul, not even your brother.�
Mokuba nodded. �Seto was studying in the library. I�d just gotten home from school. Gozaburo was waiting for me in my room. Later, Seto had the third floor of the mansion sealed. Nobody is allowed up there�could I have a glass of water, please, Joey?�
Joey got it for him and watched as Mokuba gulped it down. He didn�t mind that the younger Kaiba was taking his time spilling his guts. Jou had a feeling that once he heard the whole story his perception of the brothers and his own life would change forever.
� I was surprised that Gozaburo was in my room. He wasn�t usually home until a little later. He told me that I was worthless and that the only reason I wasn�t still in the orphanage was because Seto tricked him into taking me. I said that wasn�t true. Seto had challenged Gozaburo to a chess game and if Seto won Gozaburo agreed to take both of us. He slapped me and said that he let Seto win because I would be useful to get Seto to do what he wanted but he didn�t need me to get to my big brother anymore�He was going to kill me, Joey, I know he was. Please�you gotta understand that. I think Gozaburo thought if I wasn�t around he could turn Seto into some kind of soulless machine.� Mokuba sobbed finally able to express his fear and his grief for his brother.
�Okay, Mokuba, shhh�� Joey rubbed the younger boy�s back.
�Seto had taken a break. I think he just wanted to welcome me home from school before he went back to studying. I saw him in the doorway just as Gozaburo hit me hard enough to send me flying into the wall. I was stunned, but I wasn�t unconscious like Seto thinks I was. I saw everything. Something in my big brother snapped that day and he�s never been the same�he hasn�t always been so cold and angry�He pushed Gozaburo out the window. He killed our adoptive father, Jou. He was only a little older than I am now. Everyone thought it was a suicide.�
Joey pulled Mokuba into his lap and sat on the floor rocking him like a toddler. As horrible as what Seto had been through was, Joey felt that Mokuba had suffered every bit as much. He couldn�t have been more than nine or ten when he had been witness to his brother�s actions and had never told a soul trying to protect Seto just as much as Seto protected Mokuba, and never truly being able to heal.
�Mokuba, if you ever need to talk about this or anything else, you can come to me. I understand your brother a little better than you think I do. He always does what he thinks is best at the time. We�re not going to question his judgment at this late date, okay? He�s not a killer. He was just protecting you the only way he knew how. You probably shouldn�t tell him what you saw though, not now. Maybe there will come a time when he needs to know, but for now we�ll keep it to ourselves.�
�Okay, Joey. You know, you�re a pretty great big brother yourself.� Joey grinned goofily at Mokuba�s compliment. After a moment, Mokuba added, �I�m sleepy.�
�You can lay down on the futon if you want to.� Joey offered.
�Thanks.� Moments later the ebony haired boy was asleep.
Jou grabbed a soda from the fridge and went to sit on the balcony. He stared at the third floor windows of the mansion and shuddered. He decided that when Mokuba woke up they would go out for pizza and find something fun to do. After what he�d just heard the Kaiba estate depressed him. He realized he still didn�t know how Mokuba had found out that Seto was in love with him.
Philip found him sitting on the steps a few minutes later, lectured him on the slovenliness of teenagers these days and put him to work on mowing the rather too large lawn. An hour later, Mokuba confronted Philip and told him in no uncertain terms that his big brother had given Jou a much more important task than tending the darn yard�namely the tending of Mokuba himself. The boys made a run for it, taking the silver Mustang and escaping into Domino. They hit a local pizzeria first and then Mokuba insisted they go shopping after telling Jou that his apartment was far too drab. Jou thought his charge wanted an excuse to hang out at the mall and look at pretty girls.
But once they were there Mokuba made a beeline for a fairly new store called Gothic Goodness. Jou had a feeling Yugi had spent some time there, making mental notes on how much of the store�s inventory was leather covered with buckles.
�Mokuba, why are we here?� Joey asked feeling like he had fallen down a rabbit hole.
�Because Seto won�t bring me. They have the coolest stuff in here!� Mokuba demonstrated by holding up a pair of well-ventilated jeans with slashes front and back from knee to crotch.
Joey was pale. Kaiba was gonna kill him for bringing his little brother in here�just figuratively, he hoped.
� What do you think, Joey?� Mokuba held up a silver metallic fishnet midriff shirt with the jeans.
�Uh��
�Hey! We need to find something for you!� Mokuba dashed in and out of the racks. �Perfect!�

Oh no, Joey thought, who knew a thirteen year old kid could be such a hentai?

�These would look great with your Red Eyes shirt!� Mokuba exclaimed offering Joey a pair of red leather pants with three sets of black belts with buckles around each thigh. At least they didn�t look like they�d had a mishap with the factory shredder.
�If I buy them, can we leave?�
�Sure.� Mokuba shrugged. �I�m also sure that my big brother would enjoy seeing you model them.�
Now Joey knew he was never wearing the leather pants. He got Mokuba out of there-fast-and decided it was his turn to torture the little ebony-haired imp.
He seldom did any drawing or painting outside of school. His drawing consisted of notebooks full of doodles done during boring classes and the only painting he had ever been satisfied with had burned in the fire. The same dragon that had been his muse for that one had inspired the idea for another. Jou picked out an easel, canvas, brushes and oil paints, plus a sketchbook and pencils. The art supplies were enough to fill the little Mustang to capacity.
Mokuba helped him take everything up to the apartment curious and surprised by Joey�s artistic interests. Joey checked his voice mail.

�Mutt, where�s my brother? Where are you for that matter? If Mokuba gets so much as a paper cut while I�m gone you�ll be floating face down in that pool you love so much!� The gruff and grumpy voice cut off.
Joey swallowed hard. �What was it you were saying about him liking me?�
Mokuba snickered as he speed dialed Seto�s cell phone number. When he had his big brother on the line, Mokuba rambled on to him about how he and Joey had spent the day, omitting several details of course, and then handed the phone to Joey who looked at it like it was a poisonous snake.
�He wants to talk to you.� Mokuba explained.
Joey groaned to himself. �Hi, Kaiba.�
�I�ll be home tomorrow by 4 p.m. I expect both you and my brother to be there.� Seto snapped and hung up.
Joey put the phone back on its base and ran a hand through his thick gold mop. �What makes you think your brother has liked me for two years?�
Mokuba looked uncomfortable. �Uh�I hacked into his computer journal�?�
Joey�s eyes got as big as elephant ears. It was a good thing he was sitting on the floor because he would have fallen over if he hadn�t been. The very idea of anyone being able to hack anything of Kaiba the Computer King�s was beyond hilarious. Jou rolled on the floor laughing. �Y-you�h-hacked�y-your br-brother�s�j-journal?�
�Yep, I did.� Mokuba said proudly.
- 17
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I Know You're Out There Somewhere