Yu-gi-oh

Disclaimer: I don’t own Yugioh, or the characters there in. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

To Serve and Protect

Chapter 21

Betaed by Skippyscatt

Joey woke late that night or early the next morning depending on how you looked at it. He lay in bed with Seto on his shoulder and planned. Seto wasn’t going to like most of what he had planned. But Seto could like it or lump it.

Seto woke to a cold, empty bed and sat up abruptly. He looked for Joey and couldn’t see him. Scrambling out of the bed he listened carefully for sounds and heard rustling noises from Joey’s closet.

“What are you doing?”

Joey snarled sourly. “What the fuck does it look like im doin’ I’m packin’”

Seto shifted from where he’d been leaning against the door frame and walked over to Joey. He caught Joey’s hands in his and sighed. He tugged Joey into a hug and asked softly. “Don’t you love me anymore?”

“Fuck, Seto, don’t be dumbern’ you have to be.”

“Then why are you leaving?”

Joey glanced into his suitcase. “I’m gonna do things you don’t want to know about. It’s better if I go. I’ll be back if I manage to survive.”

Seto looked at Joey for a moment, then silently left. When Joey came out of the closet he was carrying the suitcase. He was still wearing sweat pants and nothing else. He dropped the suitcase and started dressing, but before he could do more that take off his sweats and don boxers Seto came up behind him and wrapped him in a firm hug.

“Joey, I love you more that I can ever say. I’m sorry.”

Joey turned into Seto’s arms and started to hug back wondering what Seto was sorry about. He heard a rustle and felt something cold touch him. Seto’s arms turned into bands of iron around his torso and he heard Roland’s voice say softly, “You’re not running out on us. Mr. Kaiba won’t allow it. Sorry.”

Joey froze in indecision. He wanted to pull away, but that would mean he might hurt Seto. He wanted to protest, but he didn’t really want to leave. So he just sighed and let his head drop onto Seto’s shoulder.

“Kinky bastard.”

Seto let his arms loosen. And when Joey pulled away, he let him go.
Joey examined the set up. Not bad for working that quickly. Roland had passed a chain around his waist and locked it with a padlock. The chain was tight enough that he couldn’t wriggle it over his hips nor could he slide it up over his chest and shoulders. It was wrapped around the leg of their bed, a bed that was way too heavy for even Joey to lift.

He eyed the arrangement with a disgusted eye and sighed again.

“Ok, Nushi. How do you expect me to do anything chained to your bed? . . . oh, hell.” Joey gave up especially as Seto had waggled an eyebrow at him in a very suggestive way then smirked at him.

He started to laugh, Roland snickered softly and made himself scarce. Seto just gathered a still snickering Joey into his arms again and waited for him to get himself together.

“Joey, I mean this with all my heart. I’m keeping you chained to that bed until you swear you won’t leave. I don’t care what you do. I’ll coverup murder if I have to. But you’re not disappearing so I don’t know what’s happening with you. Do. You. Understand?”

Joey couldn’t resist. “I won’t promise.” Seto’s face fell. “Of course I promise. Seto, that look would soften steel. But you know I’m going to do some nasty things. Things you don’t want to know about.”

Seto’s face hardened, with narrowed eyes he snarled, “I want Watanabe and Maeda to suffer all the torments of hell. They threatened my brother. They hurt you. They’re not fit to live. But I don’t want you to kill them.” Joey gave him a surprised look. “If you kill them, they don’t suffer anymore.”

Joey rubbed his cheek against Seto’s shoulder. He heaved a sigh so heavy that his shoulders shuddered.

“Joey . . . promise?”

Joey handed Seto the chain and lock. He sauntered to his suitcase, looked over his shoulder and gave Seto a cocky smirk. Picking up the case, he tossed it into the closet from half way across the room. Seto managed to close his mouth.

“I swear I’ll never leave you. You’ll have to have Roland throw me out by main force.” Joey chucked Seto under the chin. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic”

“Then find me some breakfast. I want a lot and double on that drink. I’m losin’ way too much weight.” Joey started for the door then mumbled ‘Shit’ and detoured for the bathroom. He’d noticed some old antibiotics there and decided to start taking them as a stopgap until he could fill his prescription. “Seto, I got a scrip I need filled. See to it, will you?”
Seto blinked. *scrip?* “Sure, where is it.”

“Haven’t a clue. Call Higa and have him call it in or something will you?”

Seto snarled silently. Joey was so bad at taking care of himself it was down right suicidal. He made the call while he waited for Joey to finish whatever it was he was doing.

He eyed the lock still in his hand with some disfavor. It was one of the best padlocks on the market and Joey had picked it with he didn’t know what from who knew where. He idly snapped the shank closed and then realized that he didn’t know what Roland had done with the key.

“Joey? Did you pick Roland’s pocket?”

Joey wandered out of the bathroom and picked through the clothes he was going to wear.

“Well, did you?”

“Wha’?”

“Pick Roland’s pockets, dammit.”

“Nah, don’t need the key. Where the hell is that . . . ? Never mind, I found it.”

“Joey!?”

Joey finally realized that Seto was getting pissed. He went to stand in front of him and just stood waiting.

“Listen to me. I need to know what you’re up to so I can help, or at least not hinder. What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’m going to have to make some calls. I’d like to . . . Seto?”

Seto had been guiding the thought bound Joey to the door while they’d been talking. “What?”

“Why are you pulling at me?”

“Breakfast. We’re going down stairs to breakfast. Which you will eat. Not push around on the plate. Got that?”

Joey chuckled gently. “Yes, Mommy.”

“Dammit, don’t you mommy me. You don’t take proper care of yourself. You look like shit, you’re thin as a rail.” Seto eyed Joey’s hair in dismay. He wasn’t any better. Joey’s hair was tangled and falling out of its braid. “Wait right there.”
Seto went into the bathroom and quickly gathered a brush and an elastic. He went back to Joey and realized that he was gone again. Lost in thought.

“Earth to Genkotsu. Genkotsu . . . “ Seto eeped and ran.

“Seto, come back here. Dammit. Seto, I’m gonna so get you. Make fun of me, chain me up. You’re I big trouble, Mister.”

The slap of bare feet on hard wood flooring alerted Sakura that the ‘starving Armenians’ were arriving.

Breakfast was unremarkable in that nothing out of their usual routine happened. Joey ate like three and Seto encouraged him. Seto ate a normal breakfast. Sakura smiled on both of them and kept food coming until Joey pushed himself back from the table with a sigh.

“Seto, let’s get out of Sakura’s way. I need to . . . let’s go to the office, ok?”

“Sure. I’ve got some calls to make. I think you’ll like them. Do you want me to mess with Hyoe?”

“No!” Joey shook his head vigorously. “He shunned them, leave him out of it. Let’s let sleeping dogs sleep.”

Seto settled at his desk and smiled as Joey sat across from him in the ‘comfy’ chair, the other chair was purposely uncomfortable in order to persuade people to conclude their business in a hurry.

First Seto got into the banking data base and did a little research.

“Honda has disappeared off the radar, he’s broke and I can’t find any address for him.”

Joey grinned happily. “I think he’s living in a box in the Ginza. Leave him alone for now. The cops’ll pick him up sooner or later and then he’ll go down with his bosses. Let him find out what living in a box is like. Maybe he’ll even have to beg.” Joey’s grin turned nasty. “I hope.”

Seto nodded and tapped at the keyboard again. “Huuummm . . . see . . . yeah . . . I’ll . . . ok.”

Joey grimaced. This was bad – for Watanabe or Maeda, he wasn’t sure which. “Seto, if there’s a complete thought in there somewhere, spit it out. You’re killin’ me here.”

Seto grumbled for a second, then got up and walked around the desk. He got behind Joey and absently tugged the knotted elastic off the end of his braid. “When did you break this?”

Joey shrugged “Don’t remember. It’s still good.”

Seto tossed it into the trash. “My lover doesn’t wear broken, or torn, or mended.” Seto got a head lock on Joey. “Got that?”

Joey clapped his hands to ‘clap out’ of the hold. “OK, . . . ok . . . I got it. Le’go.”

Seto did as Joey requested and began unraveling the ragged braid. He ran his fingers through Joey’s hair to find the worst tangles. Then applied the brush. A little too harshly.

“Ow . . . hey! Leave some!”

“Sorry, I was thinking.”

“About what?”

“Who I need to call first. I can . . .”

“Seto, talk it out. I can’t stand being left out of the loop any more than you can. ‘K?”

“Ok. I can ruin them publicly or privately. If I do it publicly, it shows me as ruthless and not above a little – manipulation – of the powers that be in banking. If I do it privately, it’s a little easier, as I don’t have to buy their loans outright. So, but . . . well, I’m not sure which road to take. Either one is satisfying.”

“Which one do you want to take?” Joey leaned his head back into Seto’s belly, enjoying the feeling of Seto still running the brush through his hair. “Take the one that works best for the future.”

“Well then, I need to make some social calls. You want to stay? Or would you rather go into the gym. You could do some yoga and meditate.”

Joey thought. “I think I’ll go to the gym. I don’t want to just sit here while you shmooze.” Seto started to say something, Joey could tell because he felt him draw a breath. “I’ll take it easy. I’m only doing enough to keep my tone. I’m really trying to gain some weight too. I swear I am.”

Seto just took Joey’s face between his hands and tipped it back enough that he could kiss him. An upside down kiss was interesting to say the least. After their kiss he quickly braided Joey’s hair into a tight braid, snapped the band around the end, and returned to his desk.

“Well, I’m off. . . . yeah, I know – in more ways than one. Love you.”

“Love you back. Go . . . exercise.”

Seto was already thinking of who he should call first. He didn’t even hear the door shut quietly behind Joey.

~ * ~

“Yes, this is Kaiba Seto. I’d like to just touch base with Mr. O’Connell if I could.”

Seto waited patiently for the operator to connect him, which didn’t take long.

“Yes, Mr. O’Connell. How are the whales or . . . was it dolphins.”

“Mr. Kaiba, hello. It was dolphins. I think they’re fine. As Public Relations Liaison I’m always going to some charity thing or other. I don’t bother remembering what they’re for anymore.”

Seto snickered softly. “I know what you mean. I met some slick guy there . . . name was Wantanabe . . . Watanabe . . . something like that. I’m thinking of making him a sub rosa loan, but he wants eight figures. I hate to just jump this on you, but he says he needs it quick.”

“Don’t know who you’re referring to, but I’ll give it a check. If we have out standing loans, I’ll let you know. You know anything more about him?”

Seto rustled papers near the mouth piece. “Well. Roland says he’s got trouble with the law just now, so I’m kind of nervous. Ah, his name is Watanabe Yahiko. Get back to me, will you? Oh, and I could use his reference number, if you’ve got it.”

Seto heard keys tap. Then a soft snort. “Something?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll give you the number I’ve got. But I’d appreciate you not letting it out that I did so.”

“Sure thing. A mum’s the word.” Seto committed the number Mr. O’Connell read off to memory. “Good-bye”

Seto hung up and used the number to access Watanabe’s personal accounts. After making sure he had the right man, he traced deposits from that account to all his hidden accounts. He had accounts in Switzerland and the Bahama’s, he also had a few in African nations. Seto emptied them all, only leaving the minimum needed to keep the account open. It was a pleasure to do it.

He put all the funds in one account and tagged it as personal. That would keep his accountants from siphoning it into his company accounts. He didn’t want it anywhere near Kaiba Corp.

When the phone rang, he answered and it was O’Connell himself.

“Mr. Kaiba. I . . . have I bothered you?”

“No, I was waiting for your call. What can you tell me?”

“Well . . . it seems that your Mr. Watanabe is yakuza. That’s not the kind of people you want to do business with.”

“No, not at all. But you seem to think he’s a good risk.”

“NO! I don’t. I don’t know how he got a load from us, but we’re calling it in. And yanking anything that he used as collateral.”

Seto made an unhappy sound. “Oh. Well. I’m sorry to hear that. I just . . . I’m so sorry to have caused you trouble.“

“No trouble at all. In fact, you probably saved the bank a nasty situation. We got ours before the state could confiscate it all. He’s in way over his head. I wouldn’t loan him a yen.”

Seto tapped his fingers on the desk happily. “I won’t. If you don’t like him, I surely don’t. . . . before you go. Are you going to be at that art show next month? I think I have to be there. I’m a sponsor or something.”

“Yes, it’s actually in the vestibule of the bank. I’ll be there for sure.”

“Well, look me up. We could catch up a little. I’ll see you there. Have a nice day.”

“It’s a lot nicer than it could have been.”

Seto settled back into his chair with a satisfied air. He made several more, similar, calls to other banks with the same results. Watanabe couldn’t get his hands on a yen if he was starving for it.

Joey wandered in, sweating slightly. He sipped at the water bottle in his hand and raised an eye brow. Seto was on hold, so he put a hand over the mouthpiece and asked Joey if he was interested in progress.

“Sure. Tell all. Who’s the what?”

“I cleaned Watanabe out. He doesn’t have a red yen and can’t get his hands on any from outside sources.”

Joey whistled softly. “That’s a bitch. What about overseas?”

“Cleaned out. Think I’d forget?”

Joey shook his head and came to sit in the comfy chair. “No, but how’d you get into them?”

“Hacked the passwords from his home computer, his kid’s always on line, or maybe it’s one of his bodyguards. Anyway, someone really likes Furcadia. The idiot has enough viruses and trojans that . . . well, doesn’t he know anything about maintenance? “ At Joey’s sneer Seto grinned. “So I got not only account numbers, but passwords and balances. He’s in deep shit. The bank. Well . . . every bank I could get in touch with is pulling all his loans. They’re repossessing everything.”

Joey nodded. “That’s good. Real good. What about Maeda?”

“I was just getting ready to start on him. What are you going to do?”

Joey stretched and yawned. “I’m going to go back to bed. I’ll be up all night, and I don’t want to be tired. Wake me for supper, will you? I don’t want any lunch. Just a shake. Love you.”

“Wa suki da yo.” Seto didn’t realize he’d slipped into slang, Joey grinned at him and left again.

Seto made similar calls to all the banks Maeda used. He knew that there was also a flurry of calls behind the scenes. Every banker kept in touch with every other one. Word was getting around faster than he could do it by himself. Before long, every bank in the Asiatic banking complex would know that Maeda and Watanabe were bad risks. They wouldn’t have a bean, or a bed, in a weeks time.

He looked at his watch and realized that he’d missed lunch. It was almost two in the afternoon. Those calles were a pain. He couldn’t just jump to the real reason behind the calls, a certain amount of socializing had to be done. It was an annoying waste of time but there wasn’t much he could do, if he wanted results.

Roland knocked softly on the door. He poked his head in and announced that Sakura was getting ready to slit her wrists if Seto didn’t come eat something soon.

Seto wandered into the kitchen and sighed, Sakura had made a nice tray of fresh sushi and sashimi. He leaned over and sniffed appreciatively. It smelled like the sea.

Sakura gave him a sharp look. “Sir. That’s fresh. Just in this morning.”

Seto smiled at her. “Yes. I can tell. I love the salt-sea smell of truly fresh fish.”

Sakura smoothed her bristles and nodded. “I go every morning to the market. That’s as fresh as I can get without catching it myself.”

Seto picked up the tray. “You do fine. I’m going to go up and wake Joey and make him eat some of this. Will you bring up a shake in a little while?”

Sakura nodded her agreement.

~ * ~

Seto nearly dropped the tray when he saw Joey.

He was sprawled on his back one leg clear off the bed. Attached to that leg was the chain. He’d fastened it around his ankle.

He was sound asleep, but woke when Seto called him.

“You’re a fool.”

“I know that. But I thought . . . ” He ducked his head embarrassed.

“Thought what?”

“I’d make sure you know that I meant what I said about not leaving.”

Seto settled himself on the bed, placing the tray between them.

“I see. Where’s the key?”

Joey motioned with one hand in the general direction of the dresser, with the other he snagged a shrimp off the tray.

Seto followed his gesture and saw the keys lying on the change tray. Very much out of Joey’s reach.

Seto picked up his chopsticks and started feeding Joey. He knew which things were his favorites and he determinedly poked them at Joey. Joey didn’t object, he just opened his mouth and accepted the offerings. As long as Seto didn’t neglect himself.

“Hey, that one’s yours. I already had one.”

“Yeah, but it’s your favorite, so eat it. I’ll take the next two. I . . . just eat the damn thing before it falls apart.”

“Not Sakura’s. She really knows what she’s doing. You got a real keeper.”

“Yeah, and she’ll be mad as hell if we don’t clear the plate. Insult to her cooking, you know. So eat that. And let me get on with it.”

Joey obediently leaned over and opened his mouth to accept the food. When he shifted, the chain moved and rattled. Seto jumped and eyed the chain with disfavor.

“See? . . . That’s why I’d never chain you up for real, or for long.”

Joey blinked, with the tips of the chopsticks still in his mouth he looked very odd. Seto snickered at Joey’s inquiring look.

“You’d just rattle them at the most inappropriate time.”

Joey struggled not to laugh, he still had food in his mouth. He managed to swallow before he was reduced to helpless giggles.

“Dammit Seto. I swear you say things like that on purpose.”

“Of course I do. I like to hear you laugh.”

Joey smiled and settled back on the bed. He watched while Seto retrieved the key to the lock and unchained him. Seto coiled the chain up and draped it over his arm.

“You going back to sleep?”

Joey swatted his pillow and nodded. “Yeah too many times I had to do stuff like this with too little sleep. Tend to . . . these same assholes, come to think of it . . . then go out at night and break knees – whatever. It’ll be nice to be well rested for once. Seto, will you wake me about an hour before sundown?”

“Sure. Go back to sleep.”

Seto shut the door and leaned against it, banging his head on it and fighting to contain his temper. Someone was going to pay for all Joey had had to go through.

~ * ~

Seto came to wake Joey exactly an hour before sundown. He was just beginning to stir, grumbling softly. Seto crawled onto the bed and instead of shaking Joey, which he hated, Seto took him into his arms and rocked him gently awake.

Joey woke smoothly and rolled Seto under him for some serious necking. He kissed and licked Seto’s neck, Seto threw his head back and allowed Joey better access to the tender flesh under his chin. Joey worked his way up to Seto’s mouth. They spent a little while just kissing and caressing each other, then Joey rolled off Seto and off the bed. In one smooth motion he stood and stretched.

“You going to shower? You kinda need one.”

Joey smirked at Seto. “Want to have your way with my helpless self?”

“Not really. I mean . . . shit. That didn’t come out nearly right. Yes I do, but not now.”

Joey snickered. He turned away and headed for the bathroom. “Just for that, you can wash me. All over.”

Seto followed eagerly. *I’m such a horn toad*

Joey didn’t let Seto do more than wash him, although he tried. Joey dried himself off and rummaged in the medicine chest. He found what he wanted and started to take two of the capsules. Seto stopped him with a hand over his.

“Joey, we don’t share drugs. Dammit, that stuff is expired, and it’s for a cold. Not whatever you think it’s for.”

“It’s Sulfodene, it’ll do.” But Joey let Seto throw them away, and flush the rest of the bottle down the toilet afterwards.

“I had one of the men go into town and get your scrip filled. It’s . . . right here. Take . . . two now, and . . . one every six hours after. Here.”

Seto handed Joey two of the new capsules and watched as he swallowed them. He rummaged in a drawer, found a small, flat, plastic pill container, put two capsules in it and handed it to Joey, who pocketed them without comment.

They went back into the bedroom and Joey dressed simply in dark jeans, black socks, black combat boots, and a dark t-shirt. He picked up a pair of oddly padded, fingerless gloves, and a balaclava or mask. Then Seto watched in awe as Joey ‘armed up.’ He’d never seen Joey carry so much hardware. Instead of the usual harness, Joey donned a worn, dark gray nylon thing that was almost a vest in itself. Joey noticed Seto’s interest and explained.

It’s an old Viet Nam era ALICE vest. The holsters are my addition. But, with the clip system, I can rearrange pouches to carry what I need. I’m taking some C-4, a ton of ammo. Both Berettas, a small cal with a silencer and . . . some throwing pins, a few shurikin and . . . well, all my knives, and a short sword. Anything I forgot? . . . “ Seto shook his head, rather goggle eyed. He mouthed ‘C-4' then decided he really didn’t want to know.

Joey settled his ALICE vest carefully checking that everything was tight and nothing would shift or make a noise. He turned to Seto and snuggled into his arms. “Just hold me for a while. I got to go do the nasty and I need hugs.”

Seto hugged, held and kissed. Joey enjoyed the attention, then pulled away. Seto watched as his Joey disappeared. In his place was a different person. Cold eyed, hard faced, and distant. He gave Seto a flat look that made him cringe inwardly.

Seto reached out to hug Joey one last time, but Joey wouldn’t let him, he held him away snarling, ”No not when I’m like this. Just. Keep it for later. Ok?”

Seto sighed. “Ok. I don’t want to do anything to cause problems for you.”

Joey got a haunted look in his eyes. “It’s not that. I just . . . don’t want you touching me when I’m like this. It’s just weird.”

Seto nodded. “Whatever you say. Just go. Go, so you can come back and . . . be my Joey again.”

Joey nodded in a distracted manner and left.

Seto heard the rumble of the Harley as it rushed down the drive and away. Carrying Joey into the dusk.

~ * ~

Joey ghosted into the house without much trouble, the small Frogpad had allowed him to hack the security system at the source. The windows and doors were all open. Climbing into the window he wanted was no problem

He reached out and tapped Hyoe on the cheek, waking him

“My daughter. What?” Hyoe couldn’t believe that a man was squatting astride his hips, right there in his bed.

Joey gave the man a disgusted look. “Fuck. Why don’t you just lay her out? Virgin sacrifice or whatever. Ya idjet!”

Hyoe recognized Joey at once. “What do you want?”

“Well, for one, you to have a better security system. I’ll send you a report. Second, you know Maeda and Watanabe haven’t stood down? I’m takin’ care of ‘em tonight. Unless you have a really good reason I shouldn’t.”

Hyoe relaxed. If Joey was offering to send him a report that meant that he was going to live to see the sun rise. He’d heard about Maeda and Watanabe, who he was beginning to think of as the two stooges.

“I formally shunned them, if you remember. I meant it. The only reason they’ve still got soldiers is that they both pay well.”

Joey got off the bed, hopping to the floor. Hyoe shivered, the young man moved like a cat.

“Well, they’re in deep shit. Seto cut off the money today. I’m going after both of them. They piss me off too much, they’re dead. Got any problems?”

“Only those two idiots. You do what ever you want to. Just leave me completely out of it. I don’t care, I don’t want to know and . . . Iruka. Go back to bed.”

Standing in the doorway was Hyoe’s fourteen-year-old daughter, looking scared. Joey sauntered over to her and smiled.

“Hey there. What’re you doing up so late? Tomorrow is a school day.”

“I heard you talking, so I came to see if it was Mom. She’s supposed to be back early in the morning. I thought she might have made better time than she thought.”

Joey made a mournful face. “Sorry Miss, just me. I apologize for waking you.”

“How’d you get in . . . hacked the security system, didn’t you? You one of those security experts Mom is always trying to get Daddy to hire?”

The girl gave him a suspicious look, but seeing his watch and ring, she decided he couldn’t be one of her fathers ‘nasty’ associates.

“Yeah . . . that’s me. Security Systems Analyst.”

“Well, I could have saved Daddy a bunch of money, it’s Swiss cheese. Older’n dirt. And . . . well, you’re here instead of out there, so . . . I’m goin’ back to bed. Ja!” Iruka walked out muttering “Bishi, but way too old.”

Joey gave Hyoe a dirty look. “Get a real expert in here and get a new system. Your system is older’n dirt, and piss poor.” Joey put one foot on the windowsill. “They’re either dead or in prison with in a week. It’s up to them. You got objections, say so now.”

“Only to those two. Thanks for not scaring my daughter.”

“Cute kid. Real smart. You do not marry her to some ass hole for political advancement. You got me?”

“Yeah, I have. But don’t worry, even if I wanted to . . . You’ve never met my wife. Regular dragon. Go. Do whatever it is you want to. Good night.”

Hyoe pulled the covers up to his chin and Joey sipped out the window, carefully closing the curtains to keep the moonlight out of the room.

~ * ~

First, Joey hunted down Watanabe. He knew where he most probably would be, so it only took him two false starts to find him.

When he entered the club, he realized that it was a bondage club. *fuckin’ pervert.* He eyed the open room with some disgust and walked through it quickly. One of the club servers approached him carefully. She was carrying a tray, the collar she was wearing was almost all she had on. Joey took a drink from the tray, sipped and then asked. “Watanabe here?”

The girl shivered. “Yes, Master. He’s in the second back room. Do you need a . . . companion?”

“No. I just need to see him for a while. Will you show me to the room?”

Joey dipped two fingers into a pocked and extracted a large bill. He extended it to the girl between first and second fingers. She took it between her teeth and led him to the room in question.

Joey opened the door and stepped into the room. He was, he decided, not that much of a pervert after all. He looked at the girl, jerked his head at her and snarled, “Get out.” She scurried for the door, relief evident on her face. Joey wasn’t even going to try to imagine what had been going on, he couldn’t even identify half the various instruments attached to her body

“Hey, I was . . . Genkotsu?”

“Yeah.” Joey turned his head toward the soldier who’d been ‘entertaining’ the girl and snarled wordlessly.

The soldier tried, he really did. But jumping Joey in the mood he was in was like playing Russian roulette, with six rounds. The guy took a swing at Joey. Joey just caught his wrist and pulled him into a short punch, which put him out of action until he could swallow enough air to reinflate his lungs. Joey ignored Watanabe’s protests for the moment, he was going to deal with one thing at a time.

“Well, well. Get paid to beat up little girls. See how you do with me, why don’t you? And don’t tell me she liked it. If she’d liked it, she’d have stayed. I know your type . . . and his.” Joey jerked his thumb over his shoulder at Watanabe. “Offered a foot, take a mile.”

The soldier managed to get to his feet. He took a knife out of his pocket and lunged at Joey. Joey just produced a Beretta and stuck it in the man’s face.

“Put your hands here.“ Joey pointed to a table with leather straps on it. The soldier gulped and did as he was told, the cold look in Joey’s eyes convinced him that disobeying was a very bad idea.

Joey efficiently fastened the straps around the man’s wrists, he looked at Watanabe, who was eyeing him with more than a little trepidation. He didn’t like this Joey at all. He liked the subservient, humble soldier much better. It didn’t look much like he was going to get that one anytime soon.

Watanabe started backing away, he’d just stood up when Joey came into the room. He was still standing, staring, when Joey started stalking him. He stepped back, Joey took a step forward. And again, and again; until Joey had backed him to the center of the room, right under a hanging chain with handcuffs welded to the end. A sudden reach, a jerk, and Watanabe was handcuffed. He yelped, then started swearing. Joey slapped him.

“Shut up.” Joey said it so calmly that for a moment Watanabe didn’t understand him. Then he got a good look at Joey and just did as he was told.

Joey went back to the soldier. “You like your job?”

The man knew better than to lie. “Yeah, like it fine. Get to touch the little piggies. Hear them squeal. Boss likes me to do things to them before he fucks them. Gets him hot.”

Joey smiled, the soldier shuddered. “Put your hand flat.” Joey encountered resistance. “You won’t like it if you don’t, but what the hell, you won’t like it anyway.”

Joey forced the man’s hand flat on the table and pulled his Beretta. “Not good for the clip seating but . . . “ Joey brought the gun butt down on the man’s knuckle with a bang. He screamed and Joey snickered in his ear. “Bet you thought it was funny when they screamed. See how you like it.” Joey smashed another knuckle and was rewarded by a double scream, Watanabe joined his soldier. He looked at Watanabe over the soldiers back and smashed another knuckle, this time on the other hand. Watanabe gulped, the soldier just fainted.

Joey turned to Watanabe. “Now it’s your turn. This is for . . . for me. For all the things you did to me. For all the things you’ve done to helpless people.” Joey raised his fist.

“You can’t, you’re a cop. It’s not legal. I’ll tell.”

“Tattle tale.” Joey smiled a cold little smile. “But then, I knew you wouldn’t understand. I might go to jail, for a while, but Japanese jails are really nice compared to where I’ve been. If I’m good, I’ll get out, my record will be expunged, and it’ll all be over . . . forgotten. It’ll be worth it. If Seto can’t cover it up that is. But . . . you know . . . I’m tired of talking.”

He bent down and chained Watanabe’s feet to the ring in the floor, then used the hoist attached to the chain to pull Watanabe up until he was stretched between the handcuffs and the ankle chains.

Joey walked around in front of him and pulled the half gloves out of a pocket on his vest, he raised an eyebrow at Watanabe’s frightened look.

“Yeah, you better look scared. They’re real nice. Calf skin. Loaded knuckles. Padded too. So I don’t bruise my delicate self.”

Joey worked his fingers clenching and unclenching his fists. Then he walked over to the door and locked it. “You always were a fool for throwing money around. Best as always. Good sound proofing.”

He returned to Watanabe and punched him in the stomach. Not hard, just enough to let him know he’d been hit.

“What do you want? I can pay you. Anything, just ask. Just ask me. Please. Don’t hurt me. I’ll pay you.”

“Don’t want your money. You don’t have any anyway. In fact, when you leave here you are in deep shit. That credit card is canceled, I saw Seto do it.”

Joey laughed in Watanabe’s face. Then he hit him again, in the chest, right on the pectoral, then again and again. Then he switched to the other pectoral and did the same. Watanabe realized that he was in for the beating of his life. Joey wasn’t going to beat him to death, at least he didn’t think so.

Joey kept hammering on Watanabe. The lead weighted half gloves added to his punch, the blows were devastating. Watanabe tried not to scream, but like all bullies, he wasn’t that brave. As Joey punished him, he started to beg and cry. But Joey didn’t pay any attention to him. He kept up his methodical punching. He beat on every major muscle in Watanabe’s body. But he carefully avoided the kidneys, spleen, liver and gonads. He didn’t want to kill him, just make him suffer, a lot.

When he was finished Watanabe was sobbing harshly; begging him to stop, not to kill him, offering him anything he wanted.

“Ok, this is what I want.” Joey grabbed Watanabe’s face and forced him to raise his head and look at him. “You go to the nearest police station and surrender yourself. Confess to every thing, name names. Don’t shake your head.” Joey jerked on Watanabe’s chin to stop him from shaking his head again. “ You’ll do what I say or I’ll be back. You can’t lock me out of anywhere you’ll have to go. All your houses are closed. Everything you have is in the process of being repo-ed. You’re ruined. If you don’t do what I say, I’ll be after you again. And again. Every two weeks you’ll feel my hand, until you do what I say.” Joey mushed Watanabe in the face and walked to the door. Opening it he started out, then he turned, drew his weapon and pointed it at Watanabe, who instantly wet himself. “You shouldn’t have messed with my family.” Joey made a disgusted face and left.

~ * ~

Joey straddled his bike and stripped off the gloves. They didn’t interfere with his movements but any cop worth the name would know on sight what they were. Better to avoid unnecessary complications. He snickered softly to himself as he envisioned the staff finally finding Watanabe and his soldier.

Joey kicked the bike to life and headed for Maeda’s place. This was going to be fun. Maeda had been a thorn in his side for a long time, it was time to pluck him out.

When he reached the gate of Maeda’s apartment complex he had to laugh, the gated community was about as safe as living in a public park. All he had to do was jump to the top of the wall and drop over to the other side.

He sauntered happily through the courtyard, enjoying the small garden there. He wondered what exactly he could do to Maeda to make him suffer the most. He found out almost by accident.
He was standing under the old willow tree in the corner of the garden, waiting for Maeda, when he heard two of Maeda’s men talking.

“He really thinks a lot of that crystal stuff. Weird for a man like him.”

“Not really. Samurai arranged flowers. He just likes that crystal, especially the animals.”

“Yeah, did you see him when Suki bumped into the case yesterday?”

“Sure did, thought he’d wet himself. . . .”

Their voices trailed off as they disappeared around a corner. Joey smirked into the darkness.

He woke Maeda by flipping him over onto his stomach. He tied him up with his own curtain cords and smacked him on the ass. Then he took off his belt and gave him the beating of his life. Maeda whimpered, but managed to keep from screaming.

“Well, you got some guts at least. Watanabe screams like a girl.” At Maeda’s startled look Joey nodded. “Yeah. Caught him at his club. Interesting reaction to a beating. Pissed himself. Let’s see what you do, ‘K?”

Joey flipped him back over and hauled him to his feet. He dragged him into the living room and tossed him on the couch Maeda bounced a few times before he got himself in control again.

He immediately started threatening Joey with everything that entered his head.

“You know, if you give enough pieces of your mind you won’t have any left for yourself.” Joey opened the case of crystal figurines. “Swarovsky . . . very nice. Very delicate.” Joey lifted out a crystal harp. “Oops” The piece hit the floor and shattered to bits.

“Noooo. That was one of only two hundred made. It was exquisite. Be careful.”

Joey smirked at Maeda. “Oh, butterfingers. How about this. Nice. What . . . damn.” That piece hit the floor also. “Was it. Some kind of cat? Or . . .”

“Stop! Don’t! Those pieces are irreplaceable. You . . . you’re a barbarian.”

“Yeah, you know it. “Joey gave Maeda a grim look. “You made me. You and Kin Komaru and Honda and Watanabe. You don’t like what you made, it’s your problem. And don’t tell me I’m a cop, that won’t work. I don’t care. You messed with my family and you know what that means.”

“I’ll buy you off. How much do you want?”

Joey picked out another piece and threw it at the wall, it smashed into bits that flew all over the room. The heavy base punched a hole in the wall.
“Oh, look what I did.”

Maeda cried out as if he’d been hit. Joey methodically smashed each piece of crystal, one at a time. Maeda wept and wailed. Joey couldn’t believe that this cold, cruel man; a man who’d hurt him so much, could break over some pretty gee-gaws. No matter how expensive.

He decided to amuse himself a little more. He drew a shurikin and showed it to Maeda.

“You used to bet on how long it would take me to miss. Then you’d smack me around. So, let’s see . . .”

Joey picked his targets carefully. When he was done there were a dozed of them in a very expensive, very ugly reproduction of a Van Gogh and more in every painting on every wall. Maeda was gibbering in fear and fury.

“You won’t get away with this. I’ll get you, you’ll see. I’ll call my men.”

“Goody. Call them now. Please. Just scream real loud.”

Maeda shook his head. “They won’t come in unless I ring for them.”

Joey found the button and did just that. Four of Maeda’s soldiers rushed in. Joey met them empty handed. Even he was a little surprised when one of them yelped. “The Fist. Shit.” Joey filled his hands and watched as all four men held up their hands and started sweating.

“You . . . “ Joey grinned. “Spread the word. He’s broke. Kaiba-sama saw to it. He’s incurred the disfavor of Hyoe as well. Quit now, while you’re ahead.”

All four men nodded and backed out, careful not to startle Joey. Joey turned to Maeda.

“I’m leaving now, but I’ll be back if I have to. You won’t be here much longer. You’re ruined. Seto saw to that. You should be getting notice soon . . . “

Joey paused at the hard knock at the door. “I’ll be happy to answer that. Oh, I suppose I should untie you. Don’t try anything, I’ll just flash my shield and walk away.”

Joey did as he’d said and then answered the door.

“Step aside. You are served.”

Joey motioned to Maeda. “Serve him. I’m not one of his creatures. I’m here for some answers.” Joey flashed his shield.

The officer bowed to Joey. “Sorry sir. I . . . didn’t expect someone from Specials to be here.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Joey nodded to the other officers who’d come into the room. “I’m not here at all.”

A younger officer looked confused. “But you’re right there. I can see you. I don’t understand.”

Joey wished for a cigarette. “You never see Specials. Even if they’re right under your nose.” He gave the man a kindly smile. “I’ll leave the proceedings in your capable hands. Oh, sorry about the crystal . . . and the mess. Good evening.”

Maeda snarled. “I have one place no one can touch. It’s payed for and unmortgaged. It’s a home, so they can’t do a thing.”

Joey smirked at Maeda and left, leaving him to endure the reading of the attachment papers.

~ * ~

“Seto, I need you to find me an address.” Joey waited while Seto tapped at the keyboard. He wanted to throw the phone, he wanted to be home with Seto.

“Got it. It’s the only house he hasn’t mortgaged. Small by my standards, but nice. It’s in the suburbs. Here’s the address and directions. I’ll text it to you.”

Joey waited for the beep that signaled the text had arrived. “I’ll be home after . . . I’ll be home soon. Love you.”

“Love you too. Be careful. Don’t get hurt. Please.”

Joey snapped his phone shut and took off.

Joey rode into the suburbs and found the house he was looking for. He went in and realized that it was uninhabited. There was no security, all he’d had to do to get in was pick the lock.

A few minutes later he sauntered out of the house and settled onto his bike. He snickered in a nasty way, pushed the button on a small remote then tucked it into a pouch on his vest. He ignored the rather dramatic explosion almost completely. All he could think of was how long it was going to take to get home. Seto was going to be pissed, it was almost dawn.

~ * ~

Seto paced the grand hall. Joey was late coming home. He’d promised to be home as soon as he could. That meant . . . what did it mean?

He heard the rumble of Joey’s bike in the distance. Shouting for Roland he hurried to the main entrance and waited at the door for Joey. When he came in the door, Seto literally jumped him.

“Joey are you ok? What happened? Here, let me take that.” Seto stripped Joey of his jacket, ALICE and boots. He handed them all off to Roland, who accepted the ALICE without complaint and the rest with resignation.

Seto chivied Joey back to their rooms and into the bath. Joey settled his aching body into the warm sandalwood and lavender scented water and sighed.

Seto soaped up a washcloth and started to wash Joey’s back. “Ok, tell all or else.”

“Or else what?“ Joey settled deeper into the tub.

“I’ll stop washing and . . .I don’t know what . . . pout?”

Joey snickered, then told Seto all about it. Every detail. Seto made appropriately appreciative noises at the proper times. When he was through washing Joey, he drained off part of the now cold water and added hot. While Joey was soaking away the last bit of stiffness, Seto turned down the bed.

He helped Joey out of the tub, dried him off and helped him into pajamas. Then he tucked him into bed and joined him. They lay for a while just cuddling. Joey seemed to need it badly.

“You take those pills like you were supposed to?”

“Yeah. I’m ok.”

Joey reminded himself to make sure to get rid of the pills first thing in the morning.