Okay, chapter two, reposted. Thanks to everyone who supported me and nagged me to get this out ^^ And mucho thanks to Snare-chan and Twilight Hunter, my cool, if not very frightening, friends. ^^

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Disclaimer: Come on, guess.

Okay, I'm sorry that this took so long to get out. Hopefully the next won't take so long. But I'm lazy and I'm working on a bunch of other things. Mucho thanks to Star-chan for help with this fic.

Yami Anzu: Help? She wrote half the damn thing.

Uh, yeah....well, thanks! *huggles*

anyway, on with the chapter!

 

 

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might.

by: Dai-na

 

 

Yami sat on the counter of the game shop, watching everyone from a slight distance. Something about the group nowadays seemed to make him feel slightly out-casted. Though all you really had to do was look at them to see why.

Near him was Yugi, working behind the register, behind which was standing Bakura, arms wrapped lovingly around the little one's waist. He still hated the other, it was true, but only an idiot could miss the love that the tomb robber seemed to radiate in Yugi's presence. That, he constantly told himself, Yugi's happiness aside, was the only reason he hadn't yet killed the bastard for having ever laying a hand on his lighter half.

Across the room sat Ryou, cuddled up next to Malik who was whispering something in his ear that was making the platinum haired boy blush.

Joey was stocking shelves, though Yami knew he was acutely aware of Yami Malik watching him as if he was going to pounce him and eat him at any given moment. Which was why, he was certain, that every time the blonde bent over, he lingered in that position a little longer than necessary.

By the door, Anzu and Mai were giggling over something, Mai running her hand absently through the brunette's hair.

Well, you get the picture.

He didn't like the feeling that it gave him to sit in the room, with everyone there, and still feel like he was completely alone. It was rare that anyone even knew he was there anymore. He wasn't mad at them for it, they were all happy, and blissfully in love. He was glad for them, really, he just wished that he had someone like that to be with.

The blissful state of the game shop was soon disrupted by a small black blur barreling inside. Once it stopped, he was able to identify the blur as Mokuba. He blinked in surprise. None of them had heard much from either of the Kaiba brothers and the way the small boy had come into the shop, it looked as though someone had lit a fire under him. He hopped off the counter and approached the small boy, Yugi suddenly at his side.

Before either of them could say anything Mokuba looked up at them with wide, stricken eyes.

"You guys, you gotta help. Something's wrong with `Nii-sama!" He said, panting heavily. Yami was instantly hit with a wave of concern. He knew things had been bad for Kaiba lately, but never anything that would send his brother into such a panic. He knelt by the smaller boy.

"Calm down Mokuba, tell us what's wrong." He said soothingly. The other boy nodded a little, trying to catch his breath.

"`Nii-sama, he's locked himself in his room all day. He hasn't come out at all. Not to eat or anything. He's not working though. He took the day off and he was going to spend it with me. But when I went to check on him, he yelled at me through the door and told me to go away!" He exclaimed, tearing up. Yami felt his eyes go wide. Everyone knew how much Seto cared for his younger brother. He wouldn't ever break a promise to Mokuba. And to hear that he had snapped at him, well, that was practically unheard of.

Everyone exchanged concerned glances, Yugi looking as if he might bolt over to the mansion at any moment. He placed a hand on his light's shoulder and looked down at Mokuba.

"Don't worry, Mokuba. I'm sure whatever it is, that he'll be alright." He told him. Mokuba looked as if he was about to protest but he held up a hand to cut him off. "Will it make you feel better if I go check on him?"

Mokuba looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. He nodded emphatically and swiped at the tears of worry pooling in his eyes.

"Then that's that. Why don't you stay here and play with Yugi while I go." He suggested. If Kaiba was being short with Mokuba then his reaction to Yami was going to be less then pleasant. He didn't want the smaller boy to hear that.

Much to his relief, Yugi offered to show Mokuba some new video games, not only keeping the boy busy, but taking his mind off his errant brother.

With a reluctant sigh, he left the game shop.

 

The walk to the Kaiba mansion was uneventful, leaving Yami alone with his thoughts. He couldn't help but be worried about Kaiba. All the strain of the past few months had really rained heavily on the young billionaire and even an idiot couldn't miss it.

Apparently, Mokuba had called ahead of him and told the servants that he was coming because he was let in without a word by a solemn faced butler. He wondered if all the servants there were so dreary.

He found his way to Seto's room with little trouble, having been to the mansion before with Yugi, to visit Mokuba, who had given them a tour. He stood outside the billionaire's room for a moment before knocking lightly on the door.

"I told you to go away, Mokuba!" Came a muffled voice from inside. Yami winced a little and knew this wouldn't be easy.

"Kaiba, let me in. We need to talk." He called through the door to the other. There was a moment of pure silence before he heard the other reply.

"Leave Yami. I'm in no mood to deal with you." It might have been his imagination, but he thought that the voice sounded haggard and kind of choked. He didn't give it much thought. Kaiba's attitudes often left him short of temper and this case wasn't any different.

He activated the power of his Millennium puzzle, using it to unlock the other's door and storming in.

"Well too bad, Kaiba, because you're going to deal with me." He said hotly. He then froze where he stood at the sight that befell him. Seto sat on his bed, only half dressed, his knees tucked up under his chin, face downcast. The other's body was shaking slightly and he felt his anger melt away almost instantly, being replaced with concern.

"Leave, Yami. Now." He hadn't been imagining it. The other's voice was weak, cracking even as he spoke. He slowly approached the bed, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. Seto jolted as if he hadn't known he was there.

"Seto tell me what's wrong." He asked, his voice soft, using the other's first name. "Mokuba is so worried about you. Please, tell me what it is..." His voice trailed off as the other looked up at him. His expression was blank but his eyes were red and puffy and his cheeks were still damp. Something about the way the other was looking at him was off. Then he realized it was because the other wasn't looking at him at all. He was looking in his direction, but past him. Hesitantly he raised a hand and moved it in front of the other's faces, cursing when his eyes didn't move at all.

"By Ra!!" He took a few steps back in surprise. "You can't see!"

Seto laughed bitterly at that, looking at the floor.

"Really, I hadn't noticed that." He muttered.

He blinked a little. 'Well, that explains the attitude.' He thought. He warily approached the other again, sitting on the side of the bed. When the mattress shifted under him Seto looked in his direction, startled, trying to pinpoint his location. He placed his hand back on the taller boy's shoulder. "Seto... I can't begin to understand what you're going through, but do you have to lock yourself away like this? Mokuba was so scared. Let us help you." He cajoled. Seto jerked his arm away from him and shook his head a little.

"You don't understand at all. Do you know what could happen if people found out about this? I'm not a popular person, Yami. Just being my brother puts Mokuba in danger, but if people found out that I'm incapacitated, the danger will increase tenfold." He explained, his worry for his brother evident in his voice.

Yami sighed a little and shook his head.

"You're not the only one looking out for Mokuba, Seto. We all are. We'd look out for you too, if you'd let us." He said softly. Seto turned towards him for a moment before dropping his head. "Providing for Mokuba is my responsibility, but I can't work like this. Even my company is in jeopardy now." Seto's voice was so sad, so defeated at that moment that Yami had to resist the urge to pull the other into his arms. The realization of that startled him and he was perversely glad that the other couldn't see the flush that spread across his cheeks.

"I don't see why you can't work, Seto. You're one of the most resourceful people I know. I'm sure you could find many ways to keep this from hampering your work." He said honestly. Seto turned to him, a startled expression on his face and there was silence in the room for a moment before Seto lowered his head again.

"I appreciate that Yami. But at the moment, I'm not even capable of dressing properly." He muttered. Yami looked at him a moment before getting up and crossing the spacious room to the closet. He took a moment before pulling out a dark blue shirt and a pair of jeans. He laid them out over the boy's lap.

"That's why you have friends to help you, if you let them." He said softly. Seto ran his hands over the clothes for a moment, his resolve weakening, and sighed.

"I don't want the others to know about this." He murmured. Yami moved forward to stand in front of the brunette.

"Then let me help you, I already know."

There was a long, tenuous moment before Seto finally bowed his head, releasing a defeated sigh. There was really no way that he could refuse the other's help without insulting him. And with Yami being as nice to him as he was, that was something that he found he didn't want to do.

Yami felt as if he'd just overcome a huge hurdle and suppressed the urge to sigh in relief. He placed a hand on the other's shoulder.

"Mokuba told me you haven't eaten yet. I'll go find something for you while you get dressed. Unless you'd like some help." He offered, then blushed, though he wasn't sure why. Seto, who didn't see the other's blush, shook his head a little; slightly humbled by all that his rival was doing for him. He had never imagined that the other would care so much. Sure, they had all told him they were his friends, and that they'd be there for him, but, aside from Yugi, he had never actually felt that any of them actually meant it.

"I'll be fine, Yami, thank you." He murmured, slightly embarrassed.

Yami could see the pink rising in the brunette's cheeks and figured it was because he wasn't used to needing help, much less accepting it. He didn't know why, though, but the sight made him want to smile. It wasn't every day that someone got to see Seto Kaiba, the illustrious billionaire, blushing.

He suppressed a chuckle, not wanting to have to explain to Seto why he was laughing at such a time and left the room in search of the kitchen.

That trip itself took much longer than it should have, Yami getting lost in the spacious mansion. The place was huge. He couldn't figure why two people needed such a large house, and why living in it didn't make them feel incredibly lonely. As nice as the place was, Yami didn't think he would be able to stand living there alone.

He finally found his way to the kitchen but when he looked in the refrigerator, he encountered another problem altogether.

It was empty.

Upon further inspection he found the cabinets to be in a similar state and he looked around incredulously. Did the two boys who live here not eat or something? With a sigh he continued to dig through the shelves and cabinets, hoping to find something edible.

   

After Yami had left, Seto pulled off the shirt he had been sleeping in the previous night, because he’s been too tired to bother getting fully undressed, and awkwardly pulled on the shirt Yami had given him, buttoning up carefully to make sure it was right. He ran his hand hover the materially of the shirt, concentrating on the feel of it before he recognized which shirt it was. With a small note of approval, he pulled on the jeans, blushing furiously when he realized that he’d been sitting there talking to Yami, in his boxers. Oh, what a pathetic sight he must have made. It was a wonder that the pharaoh hadn’t laughed in his face. And that was just one more reason he had for feeling like a heel where the other was concerned, given how badly he'd always treated him and his friends. How was it he'd never noticed just how compassionate and caring the dark spirit could be, much like his lighter half, it seemed.

He was startled out of his reverie when someone, presumably Yami, entered the room. His assumption was confirmed when the other spoke.

"You do realize that there is not one edible thing in your entire kitchen." The dark one muttered.

Seto turned his empty gaze towards the other's direction, smiling almost wryly.

"Mokuba and I usually eat out or order in." He told him.

Yami  rolled his eyes a little.

"I figured as much. So, shall I order something in?" He inquired softly.

Seto shrugged a little. He wasn't really concerned about food; he'd eat whatever was there when he needed it. When he was younger, he hadn't had the luxury of eating what he wanted, when he wanted. It was something that he had grown accustomed to and the habit had stuck with him. 

In any case, food wasn't exactly the most important thing on his mind. He had so many things to worry about. His company, his brother, his whole way of living. Everything had been turned upside down and he didn't know how to right it. He sighed and raked his hand through his hair, grimacing when he felt how messed up it was.

"Food can wait for the moment. I need to tell Mokuba something though..." He murmured. He shook his head a little. He didn't know what he was going to tell his brother. He didn't want to lie to him, but he didn't want to tell him the truth either.

He sighed again, burying his face in his hands. He tried his best to fight off a headache the had been threatening to form since he'd woken up. He hated feeling so helpless. He didn't know how to handle it and it terrified him.  

Yami looked at Seto, sympathetic, and couldn't resist the urge to try and comfort him, if only a little. He placed his hand on the taller boy's shoulder and squeezed it lightly. He frowned thoughtfully when the other looked up at him, only slightly surprised this time, and he saw the pain in his blank blue eyes. He found though, that he couldn't tear his gaze away from them. He had never noticed just how deep those azure orbs were and it startled him, all the emotion that he could see in them. Emotion that he had once thought that the other boy wasn't capable of.

"Seto," He said softly, his voice almost a sigh. "Why don't we go downstairs? We can call Mokuba and order some food. There's no point in staying cooped up in this room all day."

Seto looked up at the softly spoken suggestion, at that point, willing to give up his entire fortune in a heartbeat, just so that he could see the other's expression. He wasn't sure why, but that seemed crucial to him.

After an indeterminable amount of time, he sighed and nodded, standing up, somewhat unsteadily.

Yami smiled a little and took Seto's hand. He didn't want to coddle the other, but he wasn't about to let him walk into walls and fall down the stairs.

Seto stared down at his hand, a little startled. There was something about having Yami's smaller hand, warm and firm, in his that was oddly soothing. He allowed the other to lead him out of the room, thankful that Yami wasn't hovering.

They got down the stairs with relatively little trouble and Seto directed Yami towards the living room, the other boy not knowing where it was.

Yami sighed, nearly in relief, when they reached the living room. He reluctantly let go of Seto's hand when the taller boy sat on the couch. For some reason, having that contact with the other, even though it was small, made him feel warm inside. Maybe it was just the loneliness that he'd been feeling lately creeping up on him, but he liked being around the other. He froze when that thought entered his head and looked over at the brunette, eyes a little wide, and stared at him openly, taking blatant advantage of the other's current state.

Seto was sitting on the couch, his head lowered a little so that his un-groomed hair fell into his face, giving him a softer, boyish look. He was toying awkwardly with a pencil that he had picked up from the table. The sight had Yami smiling even before he thought about it. His eyes widened further and he backed up a few steps.

Dear Ra, he was attracted to Seto Kaiba.....

'This isn't good......'

 

~~Owari~~

Gah, that took way too long to finish.... -_-;;

*Smacks Yami Anzu* I though you were supposed to be giving me ideas?!

Yami Anzu: *Rubbing her head* I was busy! So sue me.

*Calls lawyer* Okay

Yami Anzu: Oo;;

 

Please review ^^