-1 [All material here is FICTIONAL so please keep an open mind while reading, but feel free to comment or correct anything you wish]

Title: A tale of just that!

Pairing/s: Multi, the only currently set ones are Set/Jou, Yam/Yug and Bak/Ryo but others are likely to show up - with or without warning

Chapters: 20+

Genre: Adventure, romance, humor, angst, AU

Word count: 5,945

Full summary: Atojt is a land plagued by war; by Kings that seek control over the world and men who seek power. Families are torn apart and lives are lost, but the only approach anyone seems to have to the problem would be to point their fingers at someone else. The Rebels are eager to blame the Kings for any unjust, but when their methods seem less than just in themselves people of the four Kingdoms are left to wander. YAOI, AU

Warnings: Yaoi(that's boys with boys), sexual content, violence, angst, abuse(of several natures)

A tale of just that!

Prologue,

A childhood companion!

::start::

"Red eyes! C'mon!" a blond boy laughed lightheartedly as he ran around trees, dodging falling branches and uprooted plants. A squeal could be heard somewhere behind him, followed by a thud as the called to subject crashed heavily into wood. "Red eyes!" the boy called again, laughing in amusement at his clumsy dragon. Another squeal followed, reaching the boy's small pink ears in only seconds, he shook his tiny head ignoring the long tendrils of gold silk that corrupted his view. A wide grin played at his small childish rosy colored lips, his cheeks flushed with a healthy crimson.

He ran ahead ignoring the cries of his pleading reptilian companion, nothing was going to hold him back, no, not while he was here. This was the forest just on the outskirts of his home town, the forest he had often played at with his younger sister, when they had still been family. He loved it here, not that it was his secret place or anything of the sort, it was simply a small forest that surrounded the village, he hadn't fully excavated nor had anyone else he was aware of. No one truly knew how large it was, though most believed it to only be a few miles in. There was a path that everyone used, easily enough to come and go to the village. He had yet to see what lay on the other side, though he promised himself that one day, when he was old enough - a man he would see what lay on the other side. Many had told him time and time again that what lay on the other side was other villages, all the same as this one, wreaked with war and suffering.

He had once, when he was younger, asked why no one was to go deep into the forest. The answer had been that no one knew what laid within the deeper forest, no one knew how far it went and most importantly of all what creatures lay within it's dangerous confines.

Now Joey as but a child found this kind of silly, his mother had been the one to warn him and Serenity not to wonder too far from the safe path. For his sister's sake he had listened, only once had he strayed far from the path, when he had been sure Serenity wasn't around. Alone he had wondered far into the forest, unknown to him Serenity, worried for her brother, had followed. Not but a few feet further than she had traveled countless times with her brother she ran into trouble. A serpent, something she had never encountered before in her short little life, one that could threaten her life she was sure.

It had been black, darker than the sky on a starless night, it hadn't had any other distinguishable features as well except flaming red eyes, glittering bright as they glowed with surprise. It had been wispy, like a shadow or ghost, so much so it startled Serenity into screaming upon sight.

He had ran to the rescue instantly at hearing his sister's distressed scream, luckily the serpent or whatever it had been had ran upon hearing the sudden scream from the large human like creature. But their Father, who had been nearby, had also came running and arrived at his children just in time to see Joey trying to calm his sister...

Young Joey had been scolded mercilessly that night, it had been the first time his Father had been violent towards him.

Eight years old Joey shook his head at the memories and attempted to shake them from his mind as well, he slowed to a half-hearted trot, tears laced his soft honey eyes. "Stop!" he muttered, glaring at the ground. "Stop! Stop! Stop! Stupid...tears." he whined to himself, for once he was glad he was alone.

He shook his tiny head again, pausing only when something strange, completely out of place in the dank wild forest caught his attention. A boy, nearly the same age as himself, lay, against a tree clothed in fine silk that the boy had only seen once before in his short life. Walking closer, the boy stumbled from not watching where he was putting his feet, curiosity drove him. He dropped to his knees beside the strange boy, leaning close he whispered "H-hello? Um...ya might not wanna sleep there..."

Upon closer inspection Joey noted the boy had brown hair - light chestnut in color, it looked soft to the touch. Clothes woven from the finest of silks, purples and cerulean mingled into one another in intricate designs as they formed the garment that cloaked the boys slim figure in a tight loving embrace.

This forced young Joey to look down upon his own body, rough dark browns mingled with lightly tanned browns in the coarse mixtures of material that made up his simple tunic. His appearance, he knew, was nothing spectacular. With his own tanned skin, brown grungy clothes, eyes matching those of his attire, and disheveled blond locks. He knew well enough he wasn't 'easy on the eyes'.

The brunet had pale skin, he apparently didn't get too much sun, and smooth almost feminine features. Joey was entranced, the boy was strange, new to him, so intriguing so much so little Joey found himself leaning closer to the boy. So close in fact their bodies came into contact, the blond boy's body pressed into the brunet's his little hand lifted itself up to grasp a hold of the other child's shirt.

Their noses brushed against one another, "Are, are you an...are you an angel?" Joey whispered quietly. "Mr. Angel, I've been really lonely...my sis and Mom had 't go away, c-can you be my friend?" tears tickled his warm caramel eyes.

Without fully understanding what he was doing, the young blond boy brought his lips to the sleeping boy's soft pink lips gently touching the pairs together. It only lasted a moment, purely innocent, both children's first kiss. As he opened his dazed caramel eyes they met with astonished sapphire orbs.

"Hello?" the brunet asked, watching the blond child closely as he waited for a response.

"Eh?" Joey blinked, then slowly recovering from his control lapse he laughed nervously and answered "H-hi, I'm Joey!" he offered a friendly smile and backed away from the blue eyed boy.

"I'm...Seto." the boy answered smiling halfway, despite the eccentricity of it all as well as his better judgment of the situation. It hadn't been so easy for him to just smile, for no reason, in a long time. Even at such a young age he had left his smile and happy carefree attitude behind and traded it out for a more serious contemplative consciousness. For his new Father, that was...

He was now at the age of nine.

But young Joey didn't know any of this, so continued his happy-go-lucky smiling friendly attitude. "So, why are ya sleepin' here? It can get dangerous out here alone..." he sat beside the other boy, grinning from ear to ear.

"Aren't you alone as well?"

"Uh, yeah, kinda..."he giggled childishly.

"Why do you say it's dangerous?"

"Dah people of dah village says you shouldn' go far because of what lives in d'here."

"What lives in there?"

"Hm, I dunno..."

"Then how can you say it's dangerous?"

"'Cause they don' know?" the blond was getting a bit confused at this point, though it was interesting to him as well.

"That so?" the brunet answered interested as well, such a strange village, and an even stranger boy.

"Um, yeah, I guess...heh it seems kinda silly now."

It got silent for a moment before Joey broke it "So, yer not from here then, I guess?"

"I'm not."

"Where are ya from?"

"Home."

"Where is home?"

"Not here."

"Hm..."the younger of the two was growing amused, this boy was different from anyone in the village. "Okay, okay, I get it!" he laughed and snuggled closer to the boy, he felt comfortable there. "Seto, ya wanna be my friend, right?" he asked bowing his head.

"I don't see why not."

"Hehe, 'kay, is yer home much different from here?"

"Yes, we have homes and there are less trees."

It took a moment but Joey burst into fits of laughter when he caught on. "S-Seto, yer funny! I m-meant is it different from the village here?"

"Yes." Seto fumbled with an awkward smile, he hadn't been in this sort of situation since he could remember. Perhaps in his younger days, with Mokuba.

"A lot different?" Joey continued.

"Yes."

"Do like answering like that?"

"Yes."

"Is there more people?"

"Yes."

"A lot?"

"Yes."

"So it's bigger?"

"Yes."

"Do you like it here?"

"Yes."

"Do you like me?"

"Yes..."

"Is my questions annoying?"

"Yes."

"Ya wanna stay here?"

"Yes."

"Wanna marry me?"

"Yes- what?" the brunet at this point had been staring off further into the forest in deep thought, though he had been paying attention to the other boy, the answer had been formed before the question was asked. He had answered automatically and it irritated him.

"Yes?" Joey grinned astonished that he had gotten a positive reply to his question.

"Did you just purpose to me?" Seto asked, his features twisted into confusion.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Yes!"

"Yes?"

"What?"

"I don't know." the brunet answered with a sigh.

"Kay!"

"Joey I won't be staying he-" he was cut off at that point by a loud squeal. Both boys jumped, but Joey was the first to recover as the noise was all too familiar by now, he laughed "Red eyes!"

"What?"

"Red eyes is...Red eyes!"

At that point a small black creature, about half the size of Joey's arm, slithered it's way clumsily into the blonde's lap. It's body was long like a snakes, it had four small paws protruding from it's thin frame - two at the front two at the back. Two small black wings sprouted from it's back, it's whole build clearly screamed 'serpent' or 'reptile'. A long reptilian tail curled halfway around Joey's thigh, bright glimmering red eyes widened as it took in the boy beside it's human companion. it purred and relaxed, calm with the presence of the stranger as well as relieved at the safety of the blond.

"Hey, Seto, this is...Red eyes, he's mah dragon!" the younger boy was excited, obviously.

"Dragon..."

"Yep!" he grinned.

"Joey, I'd like to show you something."

"Huh, okay, what is it?"

"Blue eyes, come forth." he stated monotone.

"Huh?"

Joey didn't get a chance to question the statement any further as the air that surrounded them seemed to come alive, it shimmered blue for a moment, silver sparks danced before three figures appeared in their place. Three identical dragons, all like Red eyes, with long slim bodies, four small paws, two small wings, only their scales were white near silver-blue. Their scales sparkled white-silver while in the darker parts of their small bodies they remained a soft blue-white color. Each had a pair of glittering sapphire eyes, shinning brightly in the bits of sunlight that was filtered through the trees.

Joey was in awe.

"D-dragons..." he mumbled, while staring. It was a amazing to think their was another one, like him.

"Three?" he gasped moving forward with a hand out, as if to touch one of the amazing creatures, Red eyes took the hint and scurried off the boy's lap. The small black dragon crawled it's way over to Seto and sat down directly beside his hand. "Mmeep!" it squealed and nuzzled the brunette's hand in a friendly motion.

"Seto, why do ya have three?" Joey asked, his hand inching closer to the nearest Blue eyes, which simply watched the small human hand come closer and closer. It's patients died out though and it bowed it head forward so the boy could pet it. He took the invitation and patted it's head, then followed up with soft strokes of his hand. The scales were softer and smoother than they looked.

"A Dragon Summoner gets multiple dragons in his lifetime, I just got these a bit early is all...I develop faster than others." it even sounded strange coming from his own mouth, saying things like that...about himself.

"Wha, wow..."Joey muttered "Yer amazin' Seto! So ya can call 'em anytime ya want?" Seto could see the excitement in the boy's features, it was refreshing to say the least.

"Yes, can't you with Red Eyes?"

"No, I don't know how...yet." embarrassment laced the boy's expression now.

"Then they stay summoned? Always...?"

"Yeah."

"Really...that's..." he wanted to say weird but didn't, it was the first time he considered someone else's feelings aside from Mokuba's in long while.

"Heh...can ya maybe teach me? Seto?" the boy's smile returned, though the warm flush didn't leave his cheeks.

"Hm, sure." both children smiled, while Red eyes, being the curious dragon he was went to the Blue eyes.

"Meep!" he greeted in all the enthusiasm a small dragon could have at meeting another dragon, and then some. Their response was instant, eyes darting over to greet the small dragon, though only by a few centimeters to themselves, sapphire orbs filled with interest upon sight. "Mew." the center dragon greeted pleasantly while the other's followed the example and began mewling at the black dragon.

Red Eyes was in heaven, instantly, too long had he been alone, the only dragon and now...

A Tale Of Just That!

It was now the day after the two boy's meeting, Joey had kept the meeting a secret only himself and Red Eyes knew of the boy. He wasn't sure why but he felt that if one from the village knew the boy was here, it would mean trouble...the village stayed wary of outsiders due to the constant war.

The war...

How long had it been going on, five years, no it had been longer, fifteen years, twenty? More? How much longer would their world suffer from the on going war, how many more would die, how many would loose the people they cared for? Like Joey?

That was why Joey had decided, when he comes of an age he would set out to find his answers. When he became a man, eighteen, he would leave the village and fight with all his strength to end the cursed war, somehow.

He was once more in the forest that surrounds his home village, just off the path, heading over to the same tree he had met Seto only a day ago. They had agreed to meet again, and he planned to stick true to his word. Besides the thought of seeing Seto again made him feel...lighthearted.

Pushing all other thoughts from his mind he continued the short trek to the tree, another minute later and he had arrived at his target. Seto was already there. He smiled brightly, "Hey! Seto, g'mornin!" he cheered and fell to the boy's side, his arms wrapped themselves around the taller boy.

"Good morning." Seto answered smiling.

"Mn!" the blond yawned and fell backward into the softness of the grass beneath him. "Feels nice..." he sighed then looked back up to Seto. "Um, can we start trainin' now?" he smiled lazily from the ground. It was, in Seto's opinion, adorable. But he remained quiet for a bit before finally answering with a "Yeah."

"Kay!" the younger of the two leaped to his feet with so much energy it would amaze anyone, except Seto, who was quickly learning that was simply how the boy worked. So much bright cheerful energy, it reminded him of the sun on the hottest and brightest days in the middle of summer.

Ah summer, it was currently around the middle of summer now.

"Alright." the brunet sighed and stood, much slower than the younger boy, but smoothly like one of high status backgrounds would. His movements, even at the young age of fourteen, seemed refined and elegant.

"Lets begin..."

"Okay!" Joey cheered, happily.

"First, you need to train your mind as well as your body. Your spirit must be strong in order for you to be able to summon a dragon on command. Eventually, if you get strong enough, you will be able to summon other dragons, ones you will eventually come into contact with."

"Um, how'd ya get yer three?"

"Blue eyes, I met them all at the same time, one year ago. They came to me one day, upon our first meeting our spirits connected...and we made the agreement, without words, that they would be my dragons and I their summoner. Their now completely loyal to me."

"Ya learned all this in one year?" the blond boy sounded amazed, with good reasons to be.

"Yes.'

"Cool!"

"So, you must become strong, your dragons will not respect and remain loyal to a weak summoner. You must prove to them you are able to hold them as your dragons, you must demonstrate your superiority. With a strong spirit you will be able to summon and better control any dragon you gain in your life. You will form a spiritual sync with them, you and your dragons will become stronger from this. So in essence you must first train your body and spirit, become a better fighter. I'll teach you that first."

"I'm a really good fighter, actually."

"Good, then work to train and refine that until you cannot be beaten. Understand?"

"Un." the blond dragon-summoner smiled brightly, nodding his head at a dizzying pace.

"Alright, lets see if you can beat me, in a simple fist fight." Seto smirked.

"Right, I'll beat ya!" he laughed and yanked off his shirt.

"Hn?" Seto's cheeks flushed at the sight of the half-naked blond. Tan skin stretched over nicely toned muscles though they were still quite young and not fully developed. But Seto knew Joey would grow up to be an extremely sexy man. That alone excited the brunet until his cheeks flushed a darker shade of crimson.

Back in his home village it wasn't often for someone to strip down to their trousers in front of someone they only knew from about twenty hours ago, so this act from the blond surprised Seto quite thoroughly.

Though damned if he was going to comment any of this to the attractive blond boy before him now.

Shaking those thoughts the brunet decided it was time they start. "Alright, ready Joey?"

"Yeah, lets go!" the younger boy cheered.

Seto threw the first punch, it landed, directly across Joey's left cheek sending the boy flailing backward onto the ground beneath their feet. "Ah!" he cried out and looked back up to Seto with wide, surprised honey eyes.

"Well?"

"Yer fast!" the blond cried and jump off the ground quickly, he threw the next punch. The brunet managed to dodge swinging his body to the side he threw his own punch which was in return blocked by Joey which immediately threw his own but it missed. Following that came Seto's fist, which was caught, but the brunet swung his free arm around the arm holding his other captive, turning his body backward, it allowed him enough leverage to bring the captured arm hard into Joey's chest.

The boy fell backward again.

"Hah, hah, that was really low!" he grumbled and got back to his feet.

"Not low, clever, you can't fight predictably or you'll never win. If your opponent can predict what you will do next they can counter it easily. Remember that."

"Hah, kay!" the blond wiped the sweat from his face, and threw himself forward once more to continue with their training session. This time, like the last, he threw his fist directly at Seto's face but unlike last time when Seto blocked it he swung his leg up and into Seto's groin.

The brunet collapsed, like Joey knew he would, and groaned. "N-nice. Joey..."

"Heh, sorry, that was kinda low..." the blond bent down to help the other up but was welcomed by a fist connecting with his jaw. It only took the boy a second to recover and retaliate with his own fist directed at Seto's stomach. It missed, Seto threw his own punch only to have it captured again by the blond. This time Joey hugged the arm tightly, twisting it into an odd half hug like form around his own body. The blue eyed boy, seeing escape wasn't going to be simple this time, bent his knees for leverage and kicked the younger boy's legs out from under him. This, however, didn't have all positive effects and ended up with both boys on the ground tangled in each other's limbs.

"Ah, crap!" Joey groaned focusing on trying to untangle himself, so much so that he didn't catch Seto shake his hold on his arm free.

The brunet wrapped his now freed arm along with his other one around Joey's shoulders in a strong bear hug. He chuckled at the younger boy's bewildered expression and tightened his hold. "Your quite strong Joey."

"Right back at ya!"

"Hm." the Blue eyes summoner smiled and twisted their bodies around further, Joey in return began kicking and wiggling wildly.

"Y-ya..." the younger boy huffed attempting to catch his breath which seemed to fail him now. "Ya..ya wanna meet here again? T-Ta...tomorrow?" he continued, panting.

"Y-yes, you still have a lot to learn." Seto smiled and hugged the boy closer to himself. He looked forward to meeting with this boy time and time again, at least until those meetings had to end...

Their 'training' and 'wrestling' continued on for the better part of the day, late into the afternoon. They fought, testing each other's abilities, testing each other to their limit and further. When they grew too exhausted to continue they stopped to talk, it had been on one of these peaceful occasions, while the sun was still high in the sky, that Joey had noticed how hot and thirsty he was. With such revelation he brought Seto to the little pond he and Serenity had found years ago.

"Ah, c'mon, it's just right..." the two rounded bushes, pushed through small obstacles and finally "here." the Red eyes summoner said suddenly, his mood brightening as they found their goal.

It was a small pond, seeming no larger than a really large puddle that looked like it would vanish any moment because the sun would dry up what little water it held. Joey knew it well, though it didn't look like much it was fairly deep. His feet could just comfortably reach the bottom in places and just missed in others. It had been fun when he had been with Serenity, it had been the place they had learnt how to swim at. It held a lot of memories for him, and it made him happy to think he had brought another close friend here to share it's beauty with.

"A really beauty ain't she?" Joey grinned and ran to the edge, looking back at Seto for only a moment. He stripped off all his clothes and jumped into the water.

"Ah, hey!" Seto started, eyes wide and face dark crimson. Shaking his head he walked over to the edge of the pond, "Joey!" he called softly and waited. With a final sigh he stepped back and pulled off his own shirt, pausing when it came to his pants. It would be troublesome to have any wet clothes but, to shed all clothes in front of someone he had just met?

"C'mon!" Joey cheered suddenly "The water's great!" he threw his arms up and splashed the water about. "What ya waitin for, want meh 't drag yer butt in here? Seto!" he cired holding out his new friends name and extra beat for dramatic reasons, Seto was sure.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" he called back, a small smile tugged at his lips. He pulled his own pants off quick and swiftly. Stepping close to the pond, he glanced around nervously, he was completely exposed to all his surroundings and it really had an awkward feel for him.

"Heh, okay then, jump in!" he cheered back and waited for the older boy to get in the water with him.

"Right." Seto muttered and rolled his eyes before taking a step backward then in one final smooth motion he made two large strides forward and jumped high into the pond. His feet pounded against the edge in the final effort to make sweeping progress through the air, it sent him far into the air and many feet from his launching point. Within seconds he made contact with the water.

The refreshing cool liquid splashed lividly around his landing point leaving Joey to be splashed with the after-effect of the dive and laughing humorously. "Nice, nice jump!" the blond laughed harder and swatted the surface of the pond that surrounded him now.

It wasn't long before Seto emerged from the water. Pushing back the wet silky strands of chestnut hair he looked to the younger boy with a small smile lighting his features, "Hm, happy now?"

"Yeah!" young Joey cried and drifted closer to his new friend. He waved his arms over the water's surface again, splashing both the occupants of the small pond. "Ah, good..." Seto muttered back, ignoring the boy's enthusiasm as well a the droplets of water that now gathered on different areas of his pale skinned face which was quickly replaced by more from Joey's constant splashing once dripping off and into the larger body of water beneath.

"You ain't happy?"

"I am."

"Ya don' look it!"

"Hm." Seto pondered this a moment before flashing the blond a friendly smile. "Right, sorry, just thinking about something else..." his smile brightened a bit. "But it's fine." The awkwardness from earlier seemed to have left, leaving a very comfortable feel for both boys. Seto was well aware that was due to his new friend's limitless cheerfulness, but the thought brought an even warmer smile to his lips.

This moment, he would treasure, however short it was...

"Joey." his voice was soft, his words were muttered unconsciously.

"Yeah?" the other boy quieted down at the seriousness in his new found friend's voice. His eyes softened with warmth, and again he found himself thanking whatever god it was that had made it possible for them to meet.

'Hm?"

"Huh, ya said mah name..."

"Oh." his bright sapphire eyes shimmered in the sunlight as he lifted them to meet with the warm honey ones that waited. "I, yeah..." moving closer he draped his arms over Joey's shoulders and leaned close to the blond in a warm embrace. "I'm glad to have met you, Joey, thank you for the time together."

"Wha-what?" Joey was forced to stutter confused at the sudden warm act of the other, shocked but not to say disapproving. "Yeah, Seto, I'm glad we met too...thanks for teaching me too. I hope I can see ya again, tomorrow maybe?" he smiled sheepishly and returned the hug with equal warmth, his cheeks found an interesting shade of crimson to remain at for the time being.

"Yes, tomorrow, and perhaps the next day as well..."

"And then the one after that too, and the next one from there, and the next one..."

"Yes, yes, and all the following days from there..." Seto chuckled and tightened the embrace on the other boy.

"Yay, I'm glad..."

"Me too..." the brunet murmured and bent his head downward, just enough to lightly brush his lips to Joey's cheek.

"Ah-" the blond boy whispered and tightened his grip on the older boy, his fingers digging into the muscles of Seto's back, as if begging the moment to last and the boy to never leave.

"Seto, I-" he was cut off at the point where his face was only inches from the others, a sudden squeal followed by a splash. Both boys jumped.

A second squeal sounded, followed by another splash.

Both were closely followed by a third squeal and splash, then a forth followed that.

"Wha?" Joey whined, shock marring his features.

"It would seem our dragons have decided to join us." Seto murmured with a pleased smile spreading over his lips then quickly spread to his eyes as well.

"Uh, oh...yeah!" was all Joey managed, shaking the irritation from the interruption.

"Meep!" was squealed in the high-pitched voice of Katsuya's summoned dragon. The small reptilian like body clawed it's way to it's master, fighting the silver shimmering liquid that held both the power to save and take lives. Once Red eyes found his summoner he attached himself to the blond and clung there as if his very life depended on it.

"Ah, Red eyes! What's a matter?" the blond patted the dragon's scaly black head gently.

"Mew!" the dragon answered cuddling close.

"Heh? C'mon, ya can swim, 'member? Ya've done it before...it's not scary." his summoner cooed sweetly and stroked the smooth scales down the length of his head and neck.

"He just wants his summoner." Seto stated, an understanding smile lit up his features.

The small black dragon titled his head to look at the other summoner, his crimsons eyes glittered with interest. He hugged his small body close to his master then satisfied with whatever that had been wrong he jumped back into the water and swam off to join the three Blue eyes.

"Umm, okay? That was weird." the blond summoner muttered and turned his attention back to Seto.

"Huh? Seto? Seto?" Katsuya looked around to find himself to be the only human figure in the pond, he knitted his brow in worry.

"Seto!" he called again.

It was silent other than the squeals of the four dragons, "Seto!" and the calls of the blond.

"Seto!" his voice grew hysterical, "Seto! Seto! Seto! Setoo!" he was now near tears, his voice was loud, high pitched and held out the missing boys name.

"Set-" he cried out one final time before vanishing under the water. His instinct told him to thrash and attempt to resurface immediately, and that's just what he did, only to come into contact with the slim muscular body that had pulled him under. Seto, bright sapphire eyes glowed with amusement even under all the water in the pond. His silky chestnut strands danced in the surrounding water, defying gravity but still he looked so beautiful. Small air filled bubbles emerged from his lips and trailed up quickly to the surface.

His lips curved into a wild smirk before he pulled both himself and the blond to the surface for the needed air as well as an ability to speak again. Two heads erupted from the pond, one darkened blond wild wet mop and the other darkened to chocolate soft silky mop.

Both boys grinned.

"Hah, that was fun!" Joey laughed and Seto could only nod his head in agreement.

"Shall we continue your training after this?" the drenched Blue Eyes summoner asked softly, shaking stray chocolate tendrils from his obscured gaze on the blond floating beside him.

"Yeah!" it was the instant answer, Joey didn't need to think about it.

"Alright."

"Alright!" Joey cheered wholeheartedly and flailed his arms around his tiny body in young unadulterated excitement. "Hey…um Seto?" in seconds the atmosphere changed completely in accordance with the blond boy's mood.

"Yes?" Seto followed easily the tone that was laid before him, not daring be the one to break the mood.

"Your…pretty." the younger of the two dragon summoners whispered, a light childish blush accenting his sheepish features that had only a moment ago been livid with loud overbearing childish excitement.

"Eh? Th…thank you." the answer was mumbled quietly as the other boy found his cheeks to be burning crimson as well.

"Your…good looking yourself, cute…I guess."

"Ehh, um, I mean…th-tha-thanks!" the blond dragon summoner smiled, looking away, thoroughly embarrassed.

"Yes…anytime." Seto chuckled and breached the distance between the two. "Your…" he lifted a small elegant-exceeding his age hand from the water and touched a finger to Joey's chin to softly coax his face into looking in his direction. "important…to me, remember that alright?" His voice was soft as he placed a tender kiss upon the younger boy's nose.

The eight year old boy was left speechless as a small giggle erupted from his gaping mouth, it felt nice t be important to someone. It was a feeling young Joey found he liked, very much so. So much so he wanted to make the other feel the same…

"Seto, I l-" sadly enough the moment wasn't meant to last as in the next second, before the young blond boy could utter the full declaration he was cut off sharply by a loud demanding voice.

"Joey, where the fuck are you? Get yer ass out here now…damn brat!"

A Tale Of Just That!

"See you, tomorrow?" Joey had said.

"Yes, tomorrow." Seto had answered with a soft smile.

If that was so, then why had Joey been there, at the tree where they agreed to meet, for hours and not a sign of the brunet yet? Why was he waiting so long when normally the brunet was there first? He had even ran over to check the pond, with his Red Eyes waiting at the tree, so if he were to show why he was gone. But nothing...

Joey had promised himself and Red Eyes that he'd give him another hour, that was three hours ago. Before that he had said thirty minutes to wait an hour and a half, before that was two hours which he waited two and a half hours, before that he had just arrived. In all it'd been about half a day.

Sighing Joey looked around, it was well into the afternoon, the sky was bright blue with the sun high in the sky and few clouds to hinder it's shine. It reminded him of Seto.

A 'meep' sounded at his side, snapping his attention back to his dragon, only to be disappointed that the dragon had only been wanting his attention because it was bored, not for Seto had miraculously appeared like he had hoped.

It was then that it came to Joey Wheeler, Seto wasn't coming...

"I'll give him another hour or so..."

To be continued…

...A tale of just that...

A/N: Yeah, there will be lots of tweaking(had to repost this ch)… but this chapter now seems perfect.

Witty Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh and all respectful characters, and ya know what I'm glad! If I did then I couldn't be a fan girl that wastes away hours of her life writing yaoi fan fiction… instead I'd just be rich, filthy rich… I'm a moron.

[Reviews make my typing fingers type faster with inspiration, thanks!]