Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. It belongs to the creators of the show. However, I do have one request though. It's a simple request really. Please don't "plagiarize" off my written work, which includes original characters/places/names/chapter ideas. I mean if you want to use something that I have written out. That I have worked very hard on and spent many hours reediting, please show some courtesy and ask me first, okay, Thanks – Razzleteddy

A/N: This is the second installment of the Cry Of Echoes series. If you want to understand a little more of this story, I recommend you read the first story (Cry Of Echoes) but it's not required. You can find it in my profile. :)

Warning! Strong content will be featured here. So, read with caution is advised. I repeat, this story will contain very strong content. You have been warned! Thanks. Also story will feature a S/J pairing. – Razzleteddy

Shadows Within

Joey wandered around his room in a dispirited state as he talked to Mr. Fields on the phone, "He needs go home and get some rest Charlie. I'm afraid he might get sick if he doesn't take a break now and then." He then sighed deeply at the sound of Mr. Fields voice, "I know you do Charlie. I'm not blaming you here or anything. I mean we all know how stubborn Seto is." He rubbed his forehead a bit roughly, "Well don't worry Charlie, if he isn't going to listen to reason then he sure as hell is going to listen to me."

He turned and viewed out the window, the sky outside was almost soft now with purplish blue. The day was will be over soon. He had to hurry and get ready if wanted to make it to the hospital on time, visiting hours will be over at nine. With a frown on his face, he turned his attention back to the conversation. "Listen, I better go, just park in the back of the hospital and call when you're there, okay." He smirked into the receiver, "Thanks Charlie and like I've said before, don't worry about Seto, he'll meet you there."

"Okay, bye," he hung up his cell and shoved it into his pocket, then grabbed for his light green jacket and put on. He gave one last look in the mirror before he left his room. In the hallway he saw a lighten glow reflex on the walls, the glare came from the TV no doubt.

His father was still up and probably filled with beer. He frowned more at that, he knew how his father was when he's been drinking for a few hours. Still, he creased his brow determined and continued down the hallway. He passed the living room and was about halfway toward the door when suddenly that all familiar voice boom throughout the air.

"Joseph. Get in here."

Joey paused with a slight sigh. Damn, he was almost there too. He rubbed his forehead as he turned around and dragged his feet into the living room where his father was, "Yeah." He kept his voice even. He wasn't really in the mood for anything right now, especially from his father.

"Where the hell are you going at this time of night?"

Joey sighed again. He could already tell that he was drunk. "To the hospital," he simply said, "I'm going to stay with Mokuba tonight."

"Really, I don't think so boy." Mr. Wheeler furrowed his brow, "You're on restriction, remember," he then took a sip from a can of beer he was drinking, soon after he let out a belch. He didn't want to hear his excuses.

Joey creased his brow hard at that, ever since his arrest his father gave him a bad beating then kept him on strict restriction. He wouldn't allow him to go anywhere or do anything except school and home. However, this time, he didn't really care if he was, he knew Seto would need his support in this difficult time and so would Mokuba. So with that he inhaled a huge huff, "So," he shifted his feet, "I don't care," he then answered back.

"Don't give me any back talk or I'll beat your ass again." Mr. Wheeler then turned to him sharply, his eyes narrowed. "Now get your ass back in your room," his voice was harsher now. He felt his temper start to rise.

"I can't, Seto needs me at the hospital. Mok-"

Mr. Wheeler then faced the TV again while he interrupted him, "I don't give a damn if HE needs you." He let out another belch and finished off the can he had. With a sigh, he tossed down the empty can before he picked up a new one. He turned back to his son, his face still cold, "He gets you arrested and now he expects you to bow to his every whim," he spat at him.

"Dad, lay off of him, okay." Joey saddened his eyes while some memories of that night entered his already heavy mind. "You know what happened." He sighed deeply, "I had no choice. Seto needed my help," he reason again.

"Needed your help," Mr. Wheeler gave a loud laugh, "I thought he was the great Seto Kaiba and needed no help." He learnt on the news about the kidnapping and the trouble he had gotten into. He smirked at him, "Anyway, it's his own damn fault, he should have let the police handle it in the first place," his voice was cruel and cold. He saw his anger look now.

"How can you say that?" Joey lined his face in anger. "It wasn't his fault!" He finally shouted at his father, he didn't care if made him mad either.

"It was his fault you got yourself into trouble!" Mr. Wheeler finally shouted.

"No, it wasn't dad. He didn't force me to follow him." Joey hardened his eyes once more, "I made that choice on my own." He breathed in a huge breath, "And if I gotten into trouble, it's my own fault and not his."

Mr. Wheeler shook his head at his son's stupidity, "This is a waste of time." He scratched his chin, "Get back in your room like I said," he faced the TV.

"No." Joey crossed his arms tight against his chest. Although he was all healed up from the injuries he had gotten for the fight. He knew he shouldn't anger his father further and risk getting hit again, especially when he had been drinking but as he thought before, he didn't really care.

Mr. Wheeler turned to him again, "Excuse me. No?" He stood up from where he was and stumbled over to his son. He dare he talk back to him.

Joey back up just a bit, his heart rate went up in fear, "Y-Yeah, I said no."

Mr. Wheeler face became hard at his son's defiance, "I'm warning you boy." He grabbed hold of his left shoulder and shoved him toward the entrance of the hallway roughly, away from the front door. "Do as I say!"

"Or what?" Joey snapped back, he turned and faced him with narrowed eyes, no matter what he was leaving out that door. So, with a quick motion he dodged passed his father and made a dashed for the door, when he reached it he opened it quickly.

Mr. Wheeler eyes flashed, "I said you're not going Joseph!" he shouted.

"And I said, yes I am, DAD." Joey contoured back and was about to leave.

"You walked out that door boy and I'll sic the cops on you!"

Joey then paused and thought for a good long moment, "You do that dad," he softened his face hard, "And I'll tell them on how you hit me all the time… and then let's just see who goes to jail first." He turned around and viewed his father's face. It appeared to be shocked at that statement. Hell, he was too, he never threatened that to his father before, but this time... this time it was different, maybe he was tired of it all. He sighed very deeply, "You see, the sword cut both ways… doesn't it." With that, he walked out of the apartment as he slammed the door behind him.

He shook his head disappointed and hurt on some of the things his father had said. He couldn't believe on what he said about his dear Seto, that it was his fault for what happened. No, it wasn't Seto's fault, he repeated.

That blame laid on Baiko and knew it. He hardened his face at that name, it seemed unfair to him in a way, that Baiko and the others had cheated punishment with death. On the other hand, he was glad that he was dead. That would give Mokuba at least some peace of mind. He inhaled a deep sigh and continued to walk to the bus stop that headed for the hospital.

It taken about thirty minutes to arrival, it was dark out now with a slight chill in the air. Joey shivered slightly as he made his way through some reporters that had camped there. He entered the hospital's lounge and gazed at the clock on the wall worriedly. It was eight-fifty about now, almost time for visiting hours to be over, he had to hurry. So, with speed he walked over to the elevators and pressed the up button. He then stood there anxiously as he waited for the doors to open when suddenly, "Excuse me. Are you Joseph Wheeler by chance?" an eager voice said behind him.

Joey turned to his right with a suspicious look, a young man, probably in his twenties, stood there beside him dressed in blue shirt and casual pants. "Who wants to know?" he rutted his brow a bit at him.

The man then whipped out a small tape recorder, "Kan Hotta, reporter for the Domino's Times Newspaper. I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering a few questions." He eagerly held the recorder close to him. "What connection is there between Baiko Doi and Seto Kaiba?"

Joey then hardened his face at the man, he hated these people. They hounded them ever since the news broke about Seto and Mokuba's ordeal. They had to get that hot story. He shook his head while he faced the elevator doors instead. "Get lost," his voice was distastefully dry. The doors then slid opened, he quickly entered and pressed button number three.

"Wait!" the man saw that he was about to leave, he quickly jumped into the elevator after him, "Just a few more questions please," he sighed a bit, "What reason would Baiko Doi have to kidnapped Mokuba Kaiba?"

"The guy was crazy." Joey sneered more, "What other reason was there."

"I don't know, you tell me."

Joey sighed at that, with all the power his love had, Seto did his best to conceal Baiko's true motives and more so, to conceal Mokuba's sexual assault. However, he knew eventually that might leak out to the public. The media can be so relentless sometimes. With his arms crossed he looked straight ahead while the reporter continued to bombard him with questions. He felt his temper rise bit by bit and wondered how this man could have such a causal attitude. Finally the doors slid opened, Joey then stepped out and hurried down the hall to Mokuba's room with the reporter who matched his every step. He sighed again, "Look buddy, Seto's lawyer already made a statement to you guys," he walked along the hallway.

The reported frowned a bit, "Yeah but he didn't really say anything."

"Well, maybe you should take the hint then." Joey said in an annoyed voice.

The reporter shook his head then went on and asked him another question, "Can you tell me a little more about Mokuba Kaiba's injuries?" he creased his brow, "I mean rumor has it that Baiko Doi molested the young boy?" he shoved the recorder closer, "It is true?" he moved the recorder even closer.

Suddenly Joey halted dead in his tracks. His temper finally reached his limit. He whipped around with his face scrunched up in anger, "I thought I've told you to get lost!" he shouted. "And get that junk out my face!" he shoved the recorder away. "You people make me sick!" he walked down the hall.

When he finally spotted the two security guards that Seto had posted by Mokuba's door, he let out a breath. When he approached, he reached into his pocket, pulled a clearance card and showed it to them. When they nodded an all clear, he huffed with more annoyance, "Hey fellows, do me a favor and get rid of this clown would you please," he pointed behind him to the noisy reporter. The two guards viewed behind him to the reporter with serious faces and gave him a nod. The both of them then walked over to the man, one on each side, grabbed hold of his arms and proceeded to drag him down the hallway to where the elevators were.

"Hey, you can't do this!"

Joey heard his protested all the way. He shook his head with disapproval then continued into the room. As he entered, the room was dim and still, only a small light shone over Mokuba's bed. He softened his eyes sadly as he viewed about, to the left corner sat Roland who kept a guard over the two brothers, with a sigh he gave him a nod. When he saw Roland nod respectfully back he turned his attention to the bed where Mokuba was. He disheartened his eyes more at the boy. Two weeks had already passed and still Mokuba held that same shattered look upon his face. He had been that way for a long time now, which worried Seto extremely. They would have to talk to Jin and get his advice on what to do next.

He went over and whispered to him a soft hello. As he did that, he thought he saw a slight reaction in his eyes. It wasn't fear. It was a small hint of acknowledgment. Maybe, just maybe the boy was starting to come out of it. Boy, he hoped so. With that, he straightened up and finally viewed over to Seto, who was asleep in a chair. He smiled to himself before he walked around the bed and over to him. However, he paused for a moment. He hated to wake him. He knew how so worn out Seto was on all that had happened and that worried him very much. He sighed deeply then reached his hand out and stroked his love's hair softly.

Seto jolted awake, startled at the touch. He viewed around groggy before he looked up. He then relaxed a bit at who it was, "Joey, don't do that." He rubbed at his eyes roughly. He tried to rid them of sleep. "You've startled me," he said in hoarse voice.

"Sorry babe, I didn't mean to." Joey smirked for a moment. He bent down, wrapped his arms around his neck and hugged him. "How're you feeling?"

"Tired, what are you doing here anyways?" Seto looked at his watch, it was eight-fifty, "It's late, visiting hours will be over soon."

"I know." Joey released him then crouched down by his chair. "I just thought that," he sighed somewhat, "I'll spend the night here while you go back to Yami's and rest is all."

Seto furrowed his brow. He looked toward Mokuba then shook his head, "No, I won't leave Mokuba Joey," he began to protest. He wasn't comfortable with the idea. He needed to be there to protect his brother in case something happened. Baiko would be the last. He won't fail Mokuba, not this time. He hardened his eyes at the thought of Baiko but creased his brow again with extreme guilt. He carried that feeling to himself for a long while now. Oh, if only he hadn't left him that night, he frowned at that.

"Seto," Joey softened his eyes while he viewed his love's form. The injuries had suffered from that night was almost fully healed but Seto still didn't look well. His love's eyes were bloodshot with dark circles under them and his skin was ghostly pale. He inhaled a deep sigh and continued, "You look exhausted. I want you to go back to Yami's and get some rest." He clasped his hand warmly, "I've already called Charlie to come get you so he's probably waiting for you out back. So get going, okay," he reasoned.

"But Joey-" Seto began again tiredly but was cut off by Joey.

"I mean it Seto." Joey gave him a stern look, "You haven't left this room for over two weeks now. I don't want you ending up getting sick." He then lessened his demeanor down when he saw Seto move his attention to his brother worriedly and knew what he was thinking, "Mokuba will be all right Seto. I'll look after him," he reached out and stroked his bangs back. "He'll be safe with me babe," he reassured him.

Seto inhaled a huge jagged breath. He still didn't want to go but knew Joey was right to some degree. He was exhausted and he didn't want to fall ill, so, he rubbed at his eyes and felt a little sting. He brewed over his thoughts for a few more minutes before he nodded. "Mmm… I suppose I could leave for a few hours," he finally agreed.

Joey breathed, "Good," he let go of his hand and patted it confidently. He then stood up and reached out to help him off the chair. As he did this, he noticed how weak Seto was. He softened his face a bit troubled, "Listen babe, when you get home promise me that you'll eat something first before you head for bed, all right." He wrapped his arms around his neck and stroked the back of his hair. He glad he didn't argue with him.

"Do I have a choice?" Seto smirked a little.

"No." Joey simply replied, when he heard him snicker he cleared his throat while he gave him another stern look. He meant what he said.

Seto paused his amuse snicker and viewed Joey's stern look, then rolled his eyes at his persistence. However, he shouldn't be annoyed with him. He knew Joey was just doing that out of worry. He shook his head for a moment, "All right," he softened his eyes a bit, "If it makes you feel better."

Joey lessened his face and instead smiled, "Good." He kissed him warmly when abruptly Seto's cellular phone interrupted their kiss. He looked down, "That must be Charlie. I told him to call when he got here."

Seto took his phone out and glanced at it with a frown. Indeed, it was Mr. Fields, so with another sigh he reluctantly answered it, "Hello Charles." He then chuckled a bit, "Yes, Joey already informed me," he shifted his foot, "All right, I'm on my way….Uh-huh…Bye," he hung up the phone. He turned back to his brother with sad eyes, he still wasn't sure if he should leave, what if something should happen while he was gone? He pulled away from Joey and walked over to the bed, "Mokie?" he sat down on the edge, his brother's face was still. He lined his face soft, "Mokie, I'm going to back to Yami's for a little while," he furrowed his brow, "But I'll be back in a few hours. While I'm gone Joey and Roland will look after you, okay."

He stroked his hair lightly, he gave him reassuring smile, "Okay, Mokuba?" he frowned then when he didn't get a response, "Well… I better go then," he pulled his hand back and straightened up. He had hoped he would have gotten a response for him, any response but no, nothing, he frowned.

Joey noticed that Seto hadn't move to leave yet, he went over to the bed and embraced Seto's arm. "Go home Seto and get some rest," he gave his arm a tender squeeze, "He'll be all right," he encouraged him.

Seto sighed one last time, "All right, I'll go then but be sure to call me if anything comes up." He patted his hand that rested on his arm, with a last kiss goodbye, he then waved to Mokuba before he left out the door.

Joey let out a breath of relief, he almost thought he wouldn't go and was glad that he did. He did worry for his health. With that taken care of, he then viewed back down to Mokuba and noticed some slight fear in his eyes. Therefore, he reached out and grasped his other hand firmly, "It'll be okay sport." He softened his eyes warmly, "I'll be here with ya and I promise, no one's going to hurt ya will I'm here," he reassured him then sat down upon his bed while he caress his hand, this was going to be a long night.

Thanks for Reading :) Please, Review :) - Razzleteddy