Remusgrl- Well hey! First off I’m sooooo happy that you are all nuts about my little story. :grins happily:

Joey- I still don’t like you.

Yugi-:walks in holding a bag full of take out from the Tona: Get over it Joey.:turns to Remusgrl:here’s your bento and California roles.

Remusgrl- YAY:tackles him and snatches her lunch:I love you:sits back at the pc and opens the bento:Ok now here in this chapter you will learn about the mysterious costume of Joey! On with the story:begins eating with her chopsticks:

Chapter 3: Masquerade

Masquerade!

Paper faces on parade . . .

Masquerade!

Hide your face,

so the world will

never find you!

“What is it?” He asked.

Minka smiled devilishly. “well……it’s…..a surprise! Give me two more hours then come back. I will show you then.” She pushed him out the door and shut it. Then she walked to the closet and opened it, grinning at the sight of the costume.

Joey walked slowly back to his room. “Shit, I have a bad feeling about this.” He muttered.

2 hours later

Joey stopped outside of Minka’s room and knocked on the door.

“It’s open!”

He walked in and jumped at the sight of her. She had aged another ten years in the last two hours. “so…..is the costume done?” he asked tensely.

She grinned and held up the costume. Joey took one look and his eyes went wide.

Masquerade!

Every face a different shade . . .

Masquerade!

Look around -

here's another mask behind you!

“What the Hell is that!”

Minka looked at him then at the outfit. “It’s Christine’s dress from the Masquerade ball in Phantom of the Opera. What? You don’t like it?”

“It’s a dress! I’m a guy!”

“But you look so feminine. Please Joey? As a request from a dying angel?” She pleaded.

“I do not! But….” He sighed. “when is this Masquerade?”

“well it‘s six now and the dance is usually at eight. Now let’s put this on you and see if I got the measurements correct.” She helped him into the gown(A.N- I used the masquerade gown if you were wondering) and tied up the back. “Ok, looks like I got everything right, now spin around.”

Joey did as she asked and she clapped her hands. “Perfect fit! Now let’s get your hair and make-up done.”

“Whoa! Hold your horses! You never said anything about makeup.”

“Well, you have to be Christine, I won’t make you wear a wig but you have to do the full blown thing.”

Joey sighed and allowed himself to be pulled into the bathroom. He heard a door slam and guessed that Seto was back. “don’t worry, he knows better than to come in here when he’s not wanted.”

“Minka?” She heard Seto’s mental call.

“don’t worry, I’m working on your love now. Your costume is on your bed.” she heard Seto’s bedroom door open then shut. She went back to working on Joey.

Flash of mauve . . .

Splash of puce . . .

Fool and king . . .

Ghoul and goose . . .

Green and black . . .

Queen and priest . . .

Trace of rouge . . .

Face of beast . . .

Seto stood in the entrance hall waiting for Minka to finish up with Joey. His own costume consisted of a red velvet suite, matching cape, knee boots, and a mask(A.N- phantom’s masquerade costume) and was pacing a rut in the floor.

Minka fluttered down the stairs and hugged Seto. “Master Seto Kaiba, my I present mister Joey Wheeler!” Seto looked up to see Joey walking down the stairs. Seto’s breath caught in his throat as he watched Joey move with the grace and elegance of a true angel.

Joey saw the look that Seto was giving him and blushed. “What are you looking at?”

Seto snapped out of his trance and smirked. “Wow Minka. You took a mutt and made him a pure bred.”

“What was that ass hole!” Joey tried to jump at him but Minka stepped between the two boys.

“Hey, hey , hey! I spent a good week on those outfits. Now act civilized and go have fun.” She said.

Seto held out his arm. “Shall we, my lady?”

Joey gave him a glare that could melt the artic and took his arm. “Just you wait Kaiba. I’ll get you back.”

Seto lead him out to the limo then got in himself. “Driver to Kaiba corp.”

“Yes master Seto.” The driver pulled away from the manor and drove toward the huge corporation.

Faces . . .

Take your turn,

take a ride on

the merry-go-round . . .

in an inhuman race . . .

Once at the Kaiba Corp building Seto got out and held out a hand for Joey. “I can let myself out thanks.”

“Joey, Please. Just humor me for tonight.”

Joey looked up at him and felt his heart skip a beat at the sincere look in those ice blue eyes. “Alright.” Joey sighed, taking Seto’s hand and allowed him to be pulled into the ball room. As they walked in Seto kept Joey on his arm with his hand over the shorter boy’s gloved one.

“Seto. So glad that you could make it.” one of his co-workers said. “and who is your pretty friend?” He asked reaching out a hand to stroke Joey’s face.

“Hey! Hands off bucky!” Joey snapped.

“He’s a feisty one. Hopefully this one can…”

“Oh look there’s Mokuba. C’mon Joey.”

Eye of gold . . .

Thigh of blue . . .

True is false . . .

Who is who . . .?

Curl of lip . . .

Swirl of gown . . .

Ace of hearts . . .

Face of clown . . .

Seto dragged Joey away and stopped near Mokuba. “Hey Bro.”

“Seto and…Joey? Wow, hi. Haven’t seen you in a few years. How are you?”

“I’m fine Mokuba. I was in the hospital for about a year, then I kinda went hermit crab.” Joey said chuckling.

“Well, you do look very pretty in a dress.” Mokuba said.

Joey glared and Seto laughed. It was the first time Joey had heard him laugh. It was…..beautiful. He thought with an inner sigh.

Faces . . .

Drink it in,

drink it up,

till you've drowned in the light . . .

in the sound . . .

RAOUL/CHRISTINE

But who can name the face . . .?

ALL

Masquerade!

Grinning yellows, spinning reds . . .

Masquerade!

Take your fill -

let the spectacle astound you!

The orchestra began to play and Mokuba got dragged to the dance floor by his date. “May I have this dance?” Seto asked bowing.

Joey nodded and took Seto’s hand. “may as well.”

Seto lead him out onto the dance floor and placed a hand on Joey’s waist and took Joey’s hand that wasn’t on his shoulder. He began to lead him in a waltz. Seto kept his eyes on Joey (who was concentrating hard on not stepping on Seto) and felt his heart flutter at the intense gaze of those golden brown eyes.

Joey looked up to see Seto looking down at him. “What?”

“I never thought you could dance. Your really good.”

“Is that a complement from Seto Kaiba?”

“Is that a joke from Joey Wheeler?” Kaiba shot back.

Masquerade!

Burning glances,

turning heads . . .

Masquerade!

Stop and stare at the sea of

smiles around you!

“May I cut in?” A voice asked.

Seto looked up and saw a person dressed as Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon. “Sure, You don’t mind do you Joey?”

“Erm…..no.” He said slowly.

The person in the mask took Joey’s hand as a slow song started up again. They began to dance and Seto watched jealously from the sidelines. “Well well, if it isn’t little Joey.” The masked person said.

“How do you know me?”

“Why Joey, I take offence that you would not recognize me.”

“Why would I?”

“Because,” the person whispered. “I only helped you in the hospital.” then the person let him go and walked off.

Masquerade!

Seething shadows breathing lies . . .

Masquerade!

You can fool any friend

who ever knew you!

Joey walked over to Seto and leaned against him. “I think I need to go home.” Joey whispered.

“Joey? Wha….” his cell phone rang and he quickly answered it. “Hello?”

“Seto,” came Minka’s weak reply, “It’s starting. I’m turning to ash.”

“We’re on our way. Hang on Minka please, hang on.” He shut off his phone and grabbed Joey’s hand. “C’mon! Minka’s dying.” They ran out of the party and to the limo heading for home.

Masquerade!

Leering satyrs, peering eyes . . .

Masquerade!

Run and hide -

but a face will still pursue you!

Seto sat tensely on the ride home. Joey watched him then laid a hand on his. “We’ll be there for her.”

Seto patted Joey’s hand and then looked him in the eyes. “I can’t lose her, Joey, I can’t.”

Joey wrapped his arms around him and held him. “I know. I’ll be here for you.” He whispered as they pulled up.

Seto jumped out of Joey’s embrace and ran to the door. He flew up the stairs and Joey was close behind.

GIRY

What a night

MEG

What a crowd!

ANDRE

Makes you glad!

FIRMIN

Makes you proud!

All the crème

de la crème!

“Minka!” Seto screamed as he reached her room. He shoved open the door and saw her on the bed, her skin ashy and her wings were turning into black ash.

“Master S-Seto. It hurts.” She whimpered.

He went to her side and held her hand. “Minka, I am so sorry.”

CARLOTTA

Watching us watching them!

MEG/GlRY

And all our fears are in the past!

ANDRE

Six months...

PIANGI

Of relief!

“Master Seto…why are you apologizing? It is my time.”

Seto laid his head on her chest and began to sob. “Minka.”

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and let him listen to her breathing. “Joey, why don’t you have my guitar. I know you play. Play something for me.”

Joey walked over to the guitar sitting on the chair by the bed. He sat down and began to play “One song Glory” from “RENT”.

CARLOTTA

Of delight!

ANDRE/FIRMIN

Of Elysian peace!

MEG/GIRY

And we can breathe at last!

CARLOTTA

No more notes!

PIANGI

No more ghost!

GIRY

Here's a health!

ANDRE

Here's a toast:

to a prosperous year!

Minka smiled and began to hum along with the music. “Perfect choice Joey. Keep playing and don’t stop until midnight.”

“I promise I won’t” He promised, tears stinging his eyes. He plucked over the cords and watched as she stroked Seto’s hair.

FIRMIN

To the new chandelier!

PIANGI/CARLOTTA

And may its splendor never fade!

FIRMIN

Six months!

He kept playing the song until just ten minutes before midnight. Minka had turned to pure silver and black dust five minutes before. Joey was about to stop when Seto looked at him. “Don’t stop, you promised.”

Joey switched the song to “No day but today” and Seto gathered her sheets in his arms, being careful to keep the dust in the middle then moved to the balcony. He opened the blanket and gave it a good shake it out over the garden that she did three years ago. “I’ve lost so much.”

Joey stopped when the clock hit twelve and went to Seto. “I know what it is like to lose someone.”

Seto wrapped his arms around Joey and placed his lips on his. Joey melted at the kiss then pulled away. “Seto…”

“No Joey, don’t think, don’t speak. Just let me hold you, just for tonight. Be my anchor to this world.” He whispered.

“I’ll be your anchor always.” Joey whispered so softly only the wind heard it, and he wrapped his arms around Seto. Doing just what he was asked.

GIRY

What a joy!

MEG

What a change!

FIRMIN/ANDRE

What a blessed release!

ANDRE

And what a masquerade!

Remusgrl: I know, I had to make her die hear. Minka will play a bigger role soon, and the yaoi has just began!