Paint It Black

Seto hung up the cell phone and looked down at Joey. The blood running down from his chin was scary, but only from a cut on the inside of his lip. Seto took a kleenax from his pocket and wiped it away.

The class looked on in shock as the normally self-centered Kaiba tended to his nemesis. Yugi sat silently sobbing then fled the room as the paramedics rushed into the room. Seto watched silently as they tended to Joey, his heart feeling like it would break. They placed a neck brace on Joey, then rolled him gently onto a backboard. They eased the backboard onto the stretcher and strapped Joey inplace then wheeled the unconsious boy from the room.

I look inside myself and see my heart is black
I see my red door and it has been painted black
Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts
It's not easy facing up when your whole world is black

Seto followed the paramedics out into the hallway. He saw Yugi standing by a locker crying. His heart went out to the boy and he moved to hug him. Yugi snuggled into the warm embrace then pulled away.

"You should go on with them, Grandpa and I will be at the hospital when I get out of school."

Seto nodded mutely then followed the paramedics to the ambulance.

** At the Hospital **

Seto waited in a private waiting room, just outside the Intensive Care Unit. He'd been sitting for a while, but when Mokuba arrived, he'd begun to pace. Sitting down again, Mokuba leaned against his brother.

"Seto, why are you suddenly so concerned for Joey? You hate him."

"Mokuba, you didn't see how badly he was beaten up. His whole face was swollen and bruised, he had cuts and bruises on his whole body. His father royally messed him up."

The younger boy nodded then rested his head against Seto's shoulder again. In his heart, he knew Seto would do the same for anyone else, no matter how much he hated them.

A weary looking doctor dressed in light teal scrubs entered the room. Seto started to stand, but the doctor waved him down. His look of concern wasn't wasted and Seto moved to wrap his arm around Mokuba.

"Mr. Kaiba, your friend is in severe conditon. He has a severe concussion, three broken ribs,rackracked pelvis, and possibly a spinal injury. Luckily there is no intrnal injuries, other than the concussion. The severity of his spinal injury is unknown. He seems to be in a coma, so it's only a matter of time till we find out how bad it is. All we know right now is he has three cracked vertibre, and a bruised spinal colum, but it could just be nothing."

Seto's face drained of color. He knew that by informing the doctor of Joey's father's abuse, things woulppenppen to Joey that might not be in his best interest.

"Mr. Kaiba, I know that Joey's father is the perpitrator of his abuse. He's been taken in to a forced rehab program. I've also informed Child Protective Services. The case worker is here and would like to talk to you before you see your friend. She's already spoke with a Mr. Moto.. Do you know him?"

"Yes, he is the grandfather of one of Joey's close friends. I know that Joey's father tore up his shop the other day, I just signed a loan for him to repair the damage."

A petite red-haired woman poked her head into the waiting room. Her thin face held a severe look, and hlue lue eyes could have turned warm objects into pilars of ice.

"I am looking for a Mr. Seto Kaiba." Her voice was warm, but edged with hatred. "Dr. Tsovos, will you excuse us?"

The doctor turned and left the room as the woman stepped into the room. Seto stood and held out his hand to her.

"I assume you are Seto Kaiba. I need to ask you some questions about Joey Wheeler. I'm Catherine Masters from Child Protective Services."

Seto nodded mutely then sent Mokuba from the room. She pulled out a notepad and a pen.

"I understand that you are the one who called the ambulance at school. Is that correct?"

"Yes. It was an automatic response."

"Mr. Kaiba, do you realize that Joey's life is in danger here at this hospital? All the hospitals in the city have been called by his father. I would like to know if CPS paid for a room in your home to be converted into a "Mini" hospital would you consider taking Joey Wheeler in untill he comes to?"

"As for CPS paying, it's already being handled, but you are welcome to re-embursing me. He will have to stay here for atleast a week maybe two, then he'll be moved to my home. His father was told he wasn't here, and Joey is under a false name here. That name is Katsuya Jonouchi."