Shattered

Shattered.
By Lady Jade

Disclaimers:
Warnings: I don’t own Yugioh. Damn. Anyways, I’m not making any profit off this, and my hat is off to all the talented ppl who worked so hard to make Yugioh successful. If you sue me, all you’ll get are my student loans. Have fun. This is Yaoi boys and Girls. Boy boy interaction. (TxJ) Explicit stuff. NO kiddies or ppl with heart conditions. Swim at your own risk!
Please review.
All flames will be used to line the cat box. Don’t waste your breath J Please review. It works good for me, helps me get some feedback as a writer. Thanks everyone, hope you enjoy.

A/N: Hey. Sorry about the late update, but it’s a long one, does that make it a little better? Ok. Here’s what you need to know: /Hikari’s to Yami’s/ //Yami’s to Hikari’s// Here’s the other confusing part: Ryou – sweet, well-behaved Hikari, Bakura – Ryou’s occasionally world domination driven Yami. See, I just liked it like this. In the anime and manga whom they call whom changes…I was confused, so, I just did it like this cause it was more suiting for me. Don’t yell at me, please? Just so you know and everything. Hmm. Yeah. So anyways, happy reading. And thanks to everyone who reviews and reads!

-Wataris_Girl

~*~

“Hey Kaiba, welcome back.”
Kaiba stopped to smile at Yugi who was cozied up next to Yami on the couch; they both were watching his wall length tropical fish tank. He could tell Yami was fascinated, and Yugi had been explaining theceptcept of fish as pets when he had walked in and interrupted the boy’s speech. Yami and Yugi both looked up calmly, apparently glad enough to see him. He didn’t want to tell them this.
“Thank you, where are the others?” He inquired calmly, a little too calmly. Yami shifted and looked carefully at Kaiba. It was like he was carrying some sort of invisible weight. Something was wrong again.
“Tristan’s still sound asleep with Joey, and Bakura and his Yami went to go walk Tea here. She got all of our school assignments for us.
“Hmmm.” Kaiba tilted one hip as he shifted his briefcase to his other hand. “I need to talk to you all, together, when you all have a minute.”
“Is the police officer still coming to take a statement from Joey today?” Yugi asked cautiously. “I know he will want to be awake…”
“No Yugi, there really isn’t a point to Joey pressing charges anymore.” The CEO shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another.
“What happened.” Yugi whispered, all color leaving his face as he stared intently at Kaiba.
“I don’t want to talk about it just yet, I’m not ready to…please?”
“Well, since the dragon says please.” Yami’s voice didn’t hold its usual acerbic edge. He saw Kaiba settle, seeming to let the breath out that he had been holding.
“Thanks pharaoh, Yugi,” He nodded to both as he headed off towards a far hallway. “I am going to get changed…and maybe, when Tea gets back here with the Bakuras we can dig up something to eat?”
“Yeah, sounds good.” Yugi laughed. The tension eased a little bit in the room.

~*~

“What do you suppose is going on Aibou?”
“No clue.”
“Why wouldn’t the police come?”
“I don’t know Yami, but…unless…”
“Aibou?”
“Forget it, its nothing.”
Yami scowled at his light in mild annoyance.
“What is it that you know that you’re not telling me?”
“Its what I think I know, and frankly, I don’t want to make a guess and be wrong.” Yugi snapped fiercely.
Yami blinked at his normally mellow Aibou’s emotionally violent reaction.
“Alright Hikari, It’s alright. I’m not trying to be pushy.” Yami soothed.
“Sorry.” Yugi whispered.
“I know you are worried about Joey. Why don’t we go see him in a bit?”
Yugi smiled slowly; glad he hadn’t hurt his Yami’s feelings.
Yami watched that smile fade to a frown, then an eventual quivering lip, and before he could reach out to comfort his lighter half, he had launched himself into Yami’s lap, burying his forehead in the hollow of his shoulder.
“Aibou?”
“I’m sorry Yami, I didn’t mean, and…I’m worried.” Yugi admitted as he let the tears flow that he had been holding back for the sake of the others.
“Aibou, you didn’t upset me, please don’t cry?” Yami hesitantly wrapped an arm around Yugi’s shoulders. Yami tasted Yugi’s emotions…and felt…oh it was worry and stress…and…
“He could have DIED!” Yugi sobbed, his voice barely muffled by Yami’s shoulder as he wailed.
“He’s my best friend and he didn’t even tell me, and I would never have know if Kaiba hadn’t called and…Yami, WHY?!”
“Aibou…if I know Joey, he didn’t want to tell you because he didn’t want you hurt…its not that he didn’t think you couldn’t handle it, or help him, it was just that he was trying to protect you, he knew his father was volatile.”
Yami rubbed a hand over Yugi’s shivering back, trying not to cry himself. It was devastating to see Joey like he was. To add his crying Hikari to the list of worries might be too much too soon.
“Shhh Aibou…shhh…I am here.”
Yugi’s tears slowly abated, the only thing he could do was cling to Yami’s shoulder, his little fingers still in a death grip on the fabric of his jacket, until all he could do was shiver and breathe heavily.
“Aibou, whatever is, whatever will be, I am here. I will not abandon you. Joey will be alright, and whatever is troubling Seto, well, we will deal with what the dragon has to say.”
Yugi snuffled a little bit and then released his bewildered Yami with a sigh.
“Ok, I guess…but that doesn’t mean this all isn’t giving me an ulcer.”
Yami patted Yugi reassuringly before moving him back to the other side of the couch with a sigh.
“Are you alright Aibou… really ok now?”
“Yeah Yami, I’m fine, sorry about that, thanks…”
Yami shrugged.
“That’s what I’m here for…and on a lighter subject… what were you saying about the funny brown and white striped fish that looks like a cross between a prickly pear and a dust ruffle?”
Yugi shook his head at his Yami.
“Its called a lion fish, and they are really quite poisonous.” Yugi’s voice was still thick with emotion, but it was starting to sound more light hearted as he tried to concentrate on something other than his worries.
“Oh! Why would Kaiba keep one as a pet then?” Yami asked.
Yugi smacked himself on the forehead and hoped that today wouldn’t be as long as he thought it would.

~*~
Ryou’s Yami pulled him abruptly aside into the alleyway. He stumbled with a startled squawk, and would have fallen to his knees if Bakura hadn’t pushed him against the brick wall and pinned him there with his hips.
“Aibou. Are you going to be alright?” His Yami’s question came out a bit harshly, but Ryou saw the tenderness underlying the gruffness in his tone. It was as if his Yami was unfamiliar with molding his voice to a sympathetic pitch, or more likely, it was simply out of practice. Ryou lifted his hands to the shoulders that were nearly identical to his, yet, slightly wider, more toned. They felt strong, and safe. A few weeks ago, he would have been running for his life or begging for death to have been this close to Bakura. There was still some anxiety, he had to admit. But in two weeks, they had managed to clean up a lot of messy wounds, and putting it simply, Bakura had taken the ass whipping of a lifetime from Ryou two weeks ago. (Ryou had finally snapped, and it had been a doozy) and it had broken something inside the stoic tomb robber that had been needing to break for a long time. And no, it wasn’t his arm, but that had gotten broken too.
“Hikari?” Bakura murmured, “What are you thinking?”
“Would it be really lame if I told you I wanted to eviscerate Joey’s dad with my bare hands.”
Bakura laughed darkly.
“As long as your turning that temper onto someone else, I can’t complain.” Bakura muttered reproachfully.
jus just…” Ryou trailed off at a loss for words. He looked into the now emotion colored coffee depths of his Yami’s eyes. They were concerned, and still slightly wary, but they didn’t hold the pain driven madness that they had before. He could feel the tentative wash of tender worry through their bond.
“Just really upset by it?” His Yami added helpfully.
“Yeah, yeah I am.”
Bakura shrugged, at a complete loss as to what to do.
“Hikari…I’m...not very good…with this emotion stuff, but…I want to help.”
“You already are.” Ryou whispered as he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Bakura’s forehead. “And thank you, for last night, the others were really surprised that you were so supportive…and…I think, that’s pretty damn great. I needed your help and you were there…and that means allot to me, I know emotions make you nervous, but you handled it really well, and what I’m trying to say is…thanks Yami.”
“Hikari…we should go…Tea will be waiting.”
Ryou smiled to himself. He could feel the beginnings of real pride nudging into his Yami’s consciousness. It was something that he knew the tomb robber had never experienced. True, pure, clean self pride. It was reassuring beyond belief.
He couldn’t help it. He had to. He launched himself off the wall, pushing his Yami back far enough that he could leap on him and wrap his arms around his neck enthusiastically.
“By Ra I love you Bakura.”
“Uhhh…”
The tomb raider reluctantly wrapped his arms around Ryou at first, and then finally giving in to an impulse of his own, he snuggled down into the snowy hair of his hikari with a sigh.
“I…love you too…”

~*~
Tea and her accomplices walked warily through the enormous front doors of the Kaiba mansion, still feeling more than a little intimidated by the enormity of the place.
Seto seemed to have guest radar, because he sauntered into the main breezeway being followed by Yami, Yugi and Tristan.
“How’s Joey guys?” Tea asked quietly.
Tristan shrugged.
“He’s awake and playing solitaire last I checked.” The tall duelist murmured, sounding more than a little relieved.
“You look better Tristan, did you get some rest?” Bakura asked.
Tristan nodded.
“Tell ya what Tea, I’ll take you to see him, but first we all need your help.”
“Oh?” Tea asked, looking slightly suspicious at the brawny duelist.
“Were starving.” Yugi piped up. “And none of us are very good cooks.”
“Oh, that is just so typical…men helpless in the kitchen my foot. I happen to know that Yami can cook, and that he can cook rather well at that.”
All eyes swiveled to Yami who appeared to be debating running away to his soul room ASAP.
“How do you know that Tea?” Seto asked, curious to know where she had come by this juicy little tidbit.
Bakura tried not to snicker. He was being good, just like his Hikari had asked of him. But it was hard. By Ra it was so hard.
“Come on Yami, I am NOT doing KP duty by myself.” Tea snorted as she cocked her head in Seto’s general direction.
“Kitchen?”
Seto gestured to his left.
“Down the hall there, to the right, down that one too, go down the steps, take a left, another hall and then….”
Tea grabbed Kaiba’s hand, tugging him in the direction of the hallway he had pointed out.
“Lead the way unless you want to draw a map, and besides we need someone to peel potatoes.
“KP?” Yami asked as he trailed behind tea. “Tea…what does KP mealeaslease?” The pharaoh pleaded, suddenly wondering just what he was in for...
“I am Seto Kaiba, I do NOT peel anything and I am not helping you at all, the one day I choose to give the servants off and then I HAVE to cook!”
*The voices faded down the hall*
“Here’s a new concept Mr. High and Mighty if you want to eat…you had BETTER HELP!”
The rest was lost to distance.

~*~

Soon there was only Bakura, Ryou, Tristan and Yugi staring at each other. Bakura was just relieved becausw hew he could let himself laugh before the tears started roll. “Better go catch up with them Yugster, before they loose you completely. We need you my main man, in that kitchen to prevent world war three. I somehow doubt that the next hour or so will be very peaceful in there, and you are THE great peacemaker.” Tristan gestured.
“No problem.” Yugi smiled as he dashed off to follow Tristan’s orders cheerfully.
Bakura was still laughing silently, and was forced to stagger to an overstuffed armchair to avoid falling over.
Ryou was looking at him and smirking.
“Sorry Ryou, its just that…nhhhh…(he stifled a laugh in his hand) its funny to think about the high and might ruler of all Khemet being able to cook…its…too good.”
Ryou joined him in peals of laughter moments later.
“Your right. It is.”
Tristan was looking a little unnerved by the strange nature of his company.
“Uhhhh…I’m gonna go keep Joey company, you two can well…”
Ryou sobered quickly.
“That’s what I wanted to talk you about?”
Tristan froze like a deer in the headlights.
“Yeah?” Tristan asked warily.
“Seriously…” Ryou murmured
“Um? Ok?” Tristan asked as he was pushed towards the same chair that Bakura sat in.
He and the dark spirit shared a moment of eye contact that was Tristan trying not to freak out and run away screaming, and Bakura trying his best to look bored and non threatening. It was something he did not do easily, especially when his old instincts told him ‘here there be fear’. But he behaved, and following his Hikari’s mental request, scooted up onto the chair arm.
“Sit, its ok.” Bakura stated gently.
“Uh?”
“Tristan, you did have a vocabulary last I checked, and my Yami doesn’t bite…as often as he used to…anymore.” Ryou reassured.
*Tristan remembered the night before, those strong arms holding him as his knees had buckled and he had sobbed. It had astonishing, how surprisingly different the two were, and the same as well. He still remembered the feeling of Ryou stroking his hair, and surprisingly, Bakura rubbing his shoulder as he leaned into him. It had been as frightening as it was reassuring. He had felt safe in Ryou’s Yami’s arms, and for once, he been grateful that Bakura was a nutcase. He was a nutcase that was powerful, and could protect Joey when he might not be able to…and…surprisingly, sheltered him when he was overwhelmed.*
“Tristan, it wasn’t a fluke.” Bakura murmured reassuringly.
Ryou watched the gentle expression on his Yami’s face with some pride.
“What wasn’t a fluke?” The duelist feigned ignorance.
“I thoroughly intended to hold you. You needed a friend. I haven’t been much of one to you, but, I thought, maybe, I could try to start now?”
Tristan thought he might die. This wike ike the eight and ninth wonders of the world occurring in under ten seconds. Ryou’s yami A. Being nice and B. Apologizing. He felt dizzy.
“Of course, if you cannot forgive me, I understand.” Brown eyes so full of actual regret. Tristan was a sucker and he knew it. Oh well.
“It’s… forgiven…and thank you…for being there.” Tristan murmured, then looked away, still feeling a trill of terror in his stomach at making eye contact with someone who owned a man-eater bug and knew how to use it.
Ryo knelt over Tristan’s thighs, settling onto his lap.
“Tristan, are you really ok?” Ryou gently comforted, resting his forehead to the taller duelist’s.
“No.” Tristan’s breath hitched in his throat. As he closed his eyes
“I can’t believe he would do that to his son…it’s so terrible. And…”
“And?” Ryou murmured.
“Can you just…hold me for a little while?” Tristan felt like he couldn’t breathe quite right, like he was choking on something so terrible that he would surely suffocate. He couldn’t cry, he was spent; but when those lithe arms wrapped around his shoulders, and he nestled into that silky white hair that smelled like vanilla, suddenly, it was all ok again. He didn’t feel like he would scream now. And when Bakura slid between Tristan and the chair back and wrapped his arms around his Hikari, and the spiky haired duelist, there was a moment of calm peace that made everything bearable, because he had friends that cared. It was…surprising. He could feakurakura’s heartbeat, solid against his spine, and the faint rise and fall of Ryou’s chest against his. He thought briefly that he might fall asleep in that lulling peace, and before he could think twice about it, he did. Again.

~*~

//Asleep already?//
/Friends are like medicine for the heart. He needed you and I. Let him rest for a bit, we can wake him when the others are done with dinner/
//It’s nice, likis./is.// Bakura murmured mentally.
/Yes, It is. I needed this too, you know./
//Oh?//
/Quiet time is hard to come by, sometimes./
//Yes, I’ve noticed. With your friends its just one emergency after another, isn’t it?//
/Mhhh. Yeah, but that’s just the nature of the beast./
//*laughter*//
/You should do that more often you know?/
//Do what?//
/Laugh. It suits you more than you know./

~*~
Joey thought he might have trouble eating, but surprisingly, no. He was happily wolfing down steak, mashed potatoes and gravy like he haver ver eaten before. It was really good. That and he suspected whatever they gave him for the pain made him extra ravenous, if that was possible for someone of his gastric capacity. The others were sprawled out on the bedroom floor, cheerfully keeping him company as they dug in as well. If they couldn’t bring Joey to dinner, they brought dinner to Joey.
The blonde was being his typical witty self, which was highly comforting to his friends. He seemed to have bounced back a little. That was reassuring to everyone involved.
“Seconds pup?” Kaiba asked curiously. “It certainly wouldn’t hurt you.” The CEO observed.
“Nah…I’m ok.”
“When was the last time you ate before this Jo?” Tristan pinioned the street punk with a no nonsense look, catching on to Kaiba’s plan.
“Uhh…” Joey started counting on his fingers rather sheepy.
y.
“I certainly hope you are counting hours pup.”
“Uhhhh…not quite.” Joey said, suddenly looking as if he had realized the obvious. “Uhhh…four days?”
Everyone stopped chewing and gave him sad eyes.
“I think he need’s seconds Kaiba.” Tea stated calmly.
“And thirds.” Yami piped in, his ruby eyes sparkling maliciously. It was the same look he got when he had some hapless schmuck on the run in a duel; on the run and with nowhere to go. Joey groaned. This was going to be a long night.
~*~
“How is he?” Ryou asked Tea.
“All tucked in and out like a light.”
“Really?” Yami asked.
“Well, we did stuff him to the gills and give him double the pain medication so he can be sure to sleep through the night.”
“Bet he’s really gone.” Kaiba stated. “One pill made him cross-eyed.”
“Hmm, so what did you want to talk to us about dragon.” Yami asked calmly.
“Oh, yes, Well, I suppose…” Kaiba dragged.
“This is uhm…really bad news, and I think you all need to sit down…well, actually, it seems like irony to me, but, it will be bad news on the pup.”
There was actual regret sparkling in Kaiba’s eyes.
When everyone had shifted obediently into the spacious living room and settled in on the couch, Kaiba pulled up a coffee table and sat.
“I talked to the police this morning. Talking to them about reporting an abuse case. They were really intent for a while, and they looked some stuff up. Before I knew it they were shuffling me out of the front office and into a back room.”
Kaiba paused to rake his fingers through his hair nervously.
“They…told me, that if we were talking about the father of one Joey Wheeler, that a Mr. Wheeler had died the night before in a drunk driving accident. Crossed the line into oncoming traffic. Semi truck they said. Instantaneous.”
There was a moment of dead silence in the room.
“I double checked it with the morgue and I talked to Joey’s mother and sister. I gave them a…toned down…version of the story. I told them Jo wasn’t doing so well, and more than ly woy wouldn’t be a the funeral…his mother told me point blank that she wouldn’t either, and neither would Jo’s sister. I guess…the hatred’s pretty deep.”
“She doesn’t want to see her son?” Tea gasped.
“No…this is the part that really tore me up.” Kaiba couldn’t stop the lone tear trailing down his cheek.
“She doesn’t want to see Joey, because he reminds her of his father…and she said she didn’t care if she ever saw him again.”
“Are you sure that wasn’t just the grief talking?” Ryou asked, his voice measured.
“Yeah. I’m really pretty sure. The poor Pup.” Kaiba breathed, finally letting his head fall into his hands. Tea left the couch to sit next to the CEO and lay a comforting hand on his shoulder that turned into a gentle sideways hug.
There was no sound in the room except for Tea’s soothing whispers and Kaiba’s uneven breathing.
“Oh my God.” Tristan whispered. “Oh poor Jo.”

~*~

Thanks much to those who review and read, and please keep reviewing.
Cheers!
- Lady Jade