Disclaimers: I do not own any of the rights to the characters of Yugioh.

Disclaimers: All rights to artist, thank you

Marik: Hell, she doesn't even own the computer or the desk...

Sherabo: Damn I am poor as hell and happy as a yaoi girl could be... just think I have the power to do as I please with you . . . hahahahahah

Marik: Witch . . . .

Recap: What started out as a trip to the Egyptian art exhibition turned into a nightmare for Kaiba, Joey, and Mokuba. An earthquake nearly took two lives and shattered dreams for the trio, yet they survived and two new characters became entangled in the spiders' web; Maxi and Ryou. Just when Joey's and Kaiba's life appeared to be on track another disaster disrupted their lives and they are again struggling at hells gate. Join them has they face yet another road block in living.

"Later . . . ." Kaiba hit the road at fifty miles per hour and didn't let up until he reached ninety. Within the hour he found the factory and moved like a spy as he passed Mokuba's bike hidden in the bushes.

"Damn it . . . . . why Mokie . . . . Why must I choose?"

Chapter 29: Twisted Faiths

"Sakura, status report," Kaiba hid behind a tree near the opening of the warehouse and waited for his computer terminal to respond.

"Boss . . . took you long enough, you're late. Getting slow in your old age," she sounded like a female Kaiba.

"Sakura I don't have time for your games." He was consumed with rage.

"You're standing right on top of a secret entrance Mokuba constructed about one month ago. It looks like he put a lot of thought into kidnapping your lover . . . how sweet." she murmured.

"Just get me in damn it. . . . Shit!" Kaiba paced around in a circle, he was pissed.

"Joey . . . have you located him?"

"Of course, boss. Two players are trapped in a virtual room, one of your early experimental projects. I've adjusted the temperate and air flow, Joey is unconscious but he's alive. The other's vitals are elevated but stable, that must be Ryou, your lover's nurse. Just on the other side of the room enclosed in a class cubical Mokuba has set up a command post. He's gone over the edge according to the programs he's been running."

Kaiba paused just outside the elevator which Sakura directed him to. It wasn't like him to hesitate, so quickly he stepped inside and rode the contraption down to a hidden lab. He fought his way through cobwebs and eventually heard a muffled sound coming from a vent or shaft. This didn't look good to the CEO as old memories started to surface. The door had no visible lock and all Kaiba could do was look through a clouded window. Huddled in a corner he watched as Mokuba frantically punched out something on a laptop. It was heartbreaking to see his brother in so much pain and confusion. Sakura had shut down all the systems operating in the building. You couldn't turn on a cell phone.

"Sakura . . . . I need you to open the door and fill me in the exact location of Joey and Ryou," Kaiba positioned his body in front of the door. "What's taking so long?"

"What . . . . .?" Sakura countered attacked. "I've already deactivated the system and lover boy is on the other side of that wall. Just give it a little push, handsome. Not that I don't think you can handle this on your own, but a little rescue operation is in order."

"I can do this by myself . . ." Kaiba barked "stop wasting my precious time."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Sakura continue to irritate the CEO and as usual she had plans of her own.

"Just one question, is Joey alright?"

"Well of course he's ok, I already explained. Should I repeat it again? The system is shut down. His mind is a little unstable and . . ."

"Spare me the details . . ."

The door open and Kaiba rushed to his brother's side.

"Mokuba . . . . Are you alright?" Gently he gathered Mokuba in his arms and started to prob.

Delirious Mokuba dropped the laptop and clutched his brother's shoulders. He buried his head in his chest and sobbed.

"Big Brother something awful has happened. I need your help. It's Joey he's . . . . . Big brother you got to save him." Mokuba continued to sob."He's in there."

Kaiba rushed to the door stepped inside to an abandon room. Only two empty cups, one apple core, and a hamburger wrapper was visible on the floor. The room smelled of sweat; Joeys scent was all over the place.

"Damn it," Kaiba whispered.

"Mokuba get it together I don't have all night. Where is he?" It took all his restrain to not slap the boy silly.

"I don't know. . . ." He twisted the tail of Kaiba's shirt between his fingers.

"Tell me what you have done with my lover." Mokuba's brains rattled in his head. Kaiba continued to shake the boy back and forth, side to side.

"KAIBA!" Pegasus screamed. "He can't help you."

"Stay out of this Pegasus . . . ." Kaiba sneered "You're next and I won't go easy."

"Kaiba he's right. I'll take Mokuba; you don't want to hurt your brother." Ryou and Joey disappeared into the building next door. "You better hurry."

"Take Mokuba to the mansion and don't let him out of your site. Pegasus you're coming with me," Kaiba turned and exist; his angry was a tangible cloud in the air.

Two days later . . .

Two days pass and Kaiba never left Joey's side. Now as the sun began to sleep he relaxed next to Joey on his bed holding his hand tightly. The puppy continued to intertwine his fingers in and out of the others hand. His eyelids moved in rapid motion under closed lids. It melted the ice around Kaiba's heart to see the boy in so much stress, yet the doctors claimed he was just exhausted.

"Idiots," Kaiba thought, he'd already called in a special team of experts. Two days ago Kaiba's mansion turned into a battle ground. Yugi was trying to calm Mokuba down who constantly protested his innocence. When Ryou saw the boy he attacked him with all his might and Kaiba had to pry his nails out of his brother's throat.

"Liar . . . . Liar," Struggling in Kaiba arms he continued to speak through sobs. "You drugged Joey and kidnapped us. It was all real, the shaking, the cold and the darkness."

"Big brother . . . he's crazy," Mokuba pleaded. "Pegasus, tell them the truth. I was with you all the time. Tell THEM!"

"You're a demented sick bastard who should be locked up." Tears rolled down Ryou's face. He couldn't breathe. "Joey could have died." Ryou slid to the cold floor. The doctors had to satiate the little nurse.

Mokuba continued to claim he was a savoir and would never harm Joey or his nurse. Now as the sun started to set Kaiba was torn between what to do with his lover and brother. It was a battle that he'd struggled with for over three years.

"Kaiba-boy why don't you take a break, I'll watch over you're little kitten." Pegasus had been leaning against a wall his eyes glued to Kaiba's back watching.

"You really want to die," The brunette didn't bother to turn around. "I only have you here to keep my enemies close, snake."

"I've done everything you asked." Pegasus purred.

"Then get the hell out of my life. It's over Pegasus. The game ends here. I never want to see your face again. I swear if you ever come near my family again I will kill you, now go." Kaiba spoke with such intensity that Pegasus knew it was finally over.

"Quietly he walked out of the Kaiba mansion never to return again. It was the last time he'd ever see Kaiba or Joey, but Pegasus had no intention of releasing his hold on the younger Kaiba. Just as he pulled out of the long drive way Joey opened his eyes. Eyes filled with sorry and regret.

"Baby . . . "Kaiba pulled Joey gently into his arms. He kissed his forehead and allows waves of relief to fill his weary heart.

"Kaiba . . . it's over? Where's Ryou? Is Mokuba safe?" He allowed Kaiba to push him upright. Kaiba fluffed up pillows behind his head.

"Calm down . . . . You've been through a lot." Kaiba gave Joey a rare smile.

"No I won't . . . . Kaiba don't treat me like a child. I've caused so much suffering and it has got to end now. I want to see Ryou now." Katsuya closed his eyes and turned his head to the side. Joey remembers bits and pieces of his nightmare and allowed the tears to slide down his cheeks. Every muscle in his body ache, every vain in his head throb and after today he knew his heart would be forever shattered.

One week later. . . .

"Kaiba . . . . We can't go on like this pretending everything is fine." Joey for the third time in a week planted his body in Kaiba's office without notice.

"Listen . . . . We can talk about this over dinner," Kaiba never looked up. "I'm busy."

"That's not enough. . ." he slammed his fist on Kaiba's desk, causing papers to fly.

"Joey you're acting like a child."

"Look at me . . . . Because it may be the last time you do?" Joey's cries reached Kaiba at last. "I swore never to come between you and Mokuba. Yet you say he's on a trip. I don't believe you. Ryou has gone back to London; he'd never leave me of his own will. Yugi is in Egypt, bullshit."

"Sakura hold all my phone calls," he closed his laptop opened a small chest that contain some private files.

"Where is Mokuba and why have you send him away?"

"Let me handle this," Kaiba tried to calm down his lover.

"Kaiba that's the problem, I can never be happy knowing I've destroyed Mokuba. Have you forgotten Serenity?"

6 months later . . .

"Big Brother . . . . You've come to visit. . . ." Mokuba ran up to the road to meet Kaiba, he couldn't wait any longer. Mokuba attended a small private college in France. Not far from the campus which specializes in architectural design, Kaiba had bought his brother a small villa. It overlooked the ocean and had spectacular views from all sides.

"I had some business to take care of. I hope you don't mind," Kaiba took a deep breath. The air was sweet and fragrant with the scent of wild flowers. Someone had planted a garden outside the villa.

"I'm on the top of the honor roll," Mokuba beamed with pride.

"You're a Kaiba," Seto smirked.

Holding hands the Kaiba's walked the short distance to the villa. Parked outside Kaiba recognized a small red sports -car, his heart skipped a beat. Mokuba gave his brother the grand tour of the tri leveled villa. In the short span of six months he had made many chances and this was the first time he'd gotten a chance to show it off. Only two others share the quiet home with him. The walls were decorated with pictures that expressed life to the fullest and gave the rooms warmth that radiate throughout his home.

"Big brother you look thin."

"I'm always thin . . . Mokuba I've got to go . . . ." his voice cracked. As he turned to go Mokuba grabbed his long white vest. It was the gesture of a small child a place that Mokuba would retreat to sometimes. The doctors said it would change with time.

"Kaiba he's down by the beach. You should go and see him," Mokuba whispered.

All the blood rushed out of Kaiba's face. "I don't know what you mean," he spoke softly.

"Yes you do," Mokuba smirked.

"Mokuba . . . . There's a limo . . . . Parked outside . . . ." Ryou froze.

"Ryou, its, been a while," Kaiba spoke.

"What the hell," Ryou voice hell contempt? "Six months wasn't long enough."

"Go on brother," Mokuba pushed Kaiba out the back door and down a private path.

It was like a dream seeing his puppy again. So engrossed in his work he didn't see the CEO approach, quietly Kaiba watched as he applied color to the blank canvas.

"Hello Joey . . . ."

Joey's hand slipped and the brush fell to the sand. He watched as the colors blended together beneath his feet.

"Kaiba . . ."

He brushed the sand from his bare legs and stood on shaky ground in front of Kaiba. It had been six months sense they'd spoken and then the parting had been violent. Joey determine to set things right. Left Kaiba and choose to stay by Mokuba's side. The boy was twisted and he needed help. Help Joey felt only he could give him. Kaiba told him if he left to never come back. It was the worst day of the young artist life. He'd disappeared from the art community leaving a beehive of rumors as to why he'd vanished.

'You've lost weight,' Kaiba voice quivered.

"Not hungry . . ." Joey whispered.

"Joey . . . ." Kaiba stepped forward.

"Mokuba's doing fine. The doctors are pleased with his progress . . . ." Joey's words were rushed.

Kaiba moved closer and touched his face. His skin felt so soft beneath his fingers.

"Please Kaiba . . . . I belong to Mokuba now."

He removed his hand from Joey's face and lowered both hands to his side which he turned into fist. It was difficult but he managed to put one foot in front of the other as he walked up the hill. Suddenly two arms wrapped around his shoulders and he felt hands exploring his face. Joey pressed his thin body against the CEO's back.

He wiped away the tears that fell from Kaiba's eyes.

"Kaiba . . . . It hurts when I breathe," Joey whispers words of love against his ear. . . .

"Then let me be your air," Kaiba turned around and held Joey tightly in his arms. . . .

The End or is it the begining . . .

Thanks to the many reviewers would support and guided this story. I am forever honored.

Sherabo