Authors Note

This is a very old fanfiction, that actually happens to not suck as incredibly as most. In fact, though there are some things that bother me with it, I rather like it.

I may never work on this again, so I feel I must give that warning now. However, Atemu/YAmi was later going to show up, and there would be a complicated mainshipping web. (In other words, Seto, Jounouchi, Yugi and Atem/Yami.)

I may never continue it, but I still felt like sharing it to the world. ; Enjoy!

(Oh, please also note that I'm having trouble with the formatting on x.o Sorry if things don't look right, I'm really trying to get sepparation between different starts of the story.

Seto Kaiba walked down dark and rundown streets with more money in his pocket then the average resident had in a week, unless, perhaps, they were very good strippers or prostitutes. Which was, after all, the main income of the place. Wealthy people went here to "have fun," and Seto was one of those people. In fact, if they found a stripper or prostitute good enough or attractive enough then they'd even offer large amounts of money (usually a miniscule amount for the buyer) to become a "companion" to them.

The world was corrupt. No one cared about anyone else, and most of the cities were slums. For that matter, most the population was poor and taken advantage of, slaving most their lives to give luxury to the wealthy, and a middle class was virtually nonexistent.

Normally, Seto preferred to drive down the streets, but today he wanted to keep a slightly lower profile. With his cold eyes, lean, muscular build and dark leather trench coat, he could easily belong in these streets, and the local thieves did not bother him. He smirked to himself as he reached the best Club in town with little incident. It was a huge club, with an obviously wealthy owner, known as The Whip.

Seto opened the doors, walking in with the confident air of the rich and powerful who could get away with anything. Though his features were cold and stoic, they were perfectly sculpted and incredibly beautiful. Paired with his toned, slim body, he could easily work there. Were it not for the well known fact he was a powerful regular, he might even be requested.

Seto strode up to the desk, where a boxumous girl in small amounts of leather that might or might not be considered clothes smiled an emotionless smile. "Why, hello Mr. Kaiba, it's good to see you return here again."

"Do you have any new ones?" Seto asked immediately, never one for pleasantries.

The girl chuckled, shaking her head and causing large gold earrings to sway. "Never were able to stick with one, were you?"

"So far, no ones been good enough for a second time." Was Seto's sharp responce

"Well," replied the girl, accepting this and bringing some things up on the computer in front of her. "We do have some new ones, but none of them really appear to be your type." She turned the monitor to show them to Seto, and he agreed- they were all only above average beauty. Seto wanted to find someone of value, rarity…. Someone that could take his breath away.

"Is there anyone else?" Asked the multi-billionaire with disdain.

"Well, you could look through the overall favorites…."

"Bring that up."

The girl complied, and a slideshow of the top ten favorites began, starting from ten.

Seto watched, interest minimal. However, at the number one interest, his attention was stolen. "Who is he!" Demanded Seto, stopping the slideshow to stare. "I've never seen him before." 'I'd remember….'

The boy he was staring at was probably the most exotic creature Seto had laid his eyes upon. His hair was a rich mix of lavender and maroon that darkened to a deep ebony by the time it reached his roots. His bangs, however, were shining gold, and the hair was styled upwards in a rather common punk-like fashion. This in itself might not have been so amazing, if it weren't for The Whip's strict policy against hair dye (and, though it would be easy enough to lie, there were plenty of accurate and fool-proof machines that could tell if hair was dyed or natural.). Which meant, of course, that unbelievable as the boys' hair was, it was natural.

His body was thin, with long legs, lithe muscles and perfect skin, which even on a screen seemed to look supple and smooth. His lips were slightly parted, seemingly inviting a viewer into a cavern that promised pleasure, and his cheeks slightly flushed. Overall, his build was very feminine, and he wore dark leather. But the most amazing, unique thing was none of this. It was his eyes. Resting below thin, arched eyebrows and framed by dark black lashes were large, half-lidded eyes. The eyes were a deep amethyst that shone with an unnatural light, but even this was not the most unique or outstanding part of them. That part, the part that Seto, or anyone else on that world would find hard to believe, was the deep amounts of emotion swirling below the depths, emotion that could be detected even from a screen. Those eyes, the most beautiful shade of lavender Seto had ever seen, shone brightly with a hope and compassion the world had not seen for centuries, yet unconsciously thirsted for. This boy was a treasure.

"Yugi Motou, Age Seventeen, been working here for somewhere around a year." Replied the girl as she turned the screen back.

"A year!" Demanded Seto, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Why haven't I seen him before?"

"Lets see…. Ah, I see. Your file requests prostitutes only, and Motou is not registered for that."

"I'd like to make a request for him in my private room." Announced Seto in response.

"Alright, you know the price. Though, of course, you won't be able to-"

"I know the rules," Seto interrupted coldly, causing the girl to nod quickly.

Thus began the wealthy CEO's addiction to something impossible to be addicted to- a human being.

Yugi scanned the note on his PC as he returned the clothes to his body, sighing quietly. He despised his job- it made him feel dirty to show his body in a room of sweaty, horny and corrupt men, eager to see him. This was made worse by the desire he saw in their eyes, the knowledge that each one wanted him, and wanted to do far more then he'd ever be willing to allow.

Yet for some reason, perhaps because the greater intimacy, he hated the one on one sessions worse. A few times the buyers had even lost their control and tried treating him as they did most people in private rooms, traumatizing Yugi, though he was, of coursed, saved in time, and the buyers temporarily banned.

That's why the thought of having another private session made him cringe. Sighing, he finished, fixed himself up and headed over to the private room of Mister S. Kaiba.

Seto sat with his legs folded and expression impassive as he waited in his private room. He looked up as the Employee's door opened and in stepped the one he'd been waiting for.

Yugi wore layers of leather, the common outfit for a stripper that likely got unbearably hot. Of course, a sweat-soaked body was even more inviting….

Seto couldn't take his eyes off the composed teen, who walked over to Seto with a trained sway of the hips. No image could match the real thing, and Seto could feel his groins reacting in approval. Yugi stopped to stand before him, awaiting instructions.

"I read over your file…. You do everything but prostitution, correct?"

The boy nodded, and Seto could see weariness in his eyes, though he obviously tried hard to hide it. Seto guessed the latter part was something most customers didn't want to accept.

"Then, I'd like you to massage me, first." One of the reasons the whip was so popular was likely because their employees also were trained in many other services, which could be requested and customized at the buyers will. Of course, this could only be done when they were "bought" for the private sessions, which cost about double, plus membership fees. Regulars had discounts, but still it was a lot, which was good for the employees.

Yugi's eyes lit up slightly. Massages weren't bad at all. Not only was he good at them, but it wasn't a shady job and didn't leave him with the used disgusted feeling he despised.

"Naked."

Yugi sighed mentally. Well, that wasn't much of a surprise. He knew it was too good to be true, and, as he had to, he began to strip off his clothes suggestively, Seto watching.

When he had finished the rather practiced ritual, the buyer pulled off his own clothes, striding to a massage table and laying comfortably upon it.

Yugi followed and began working his hands across Seto's skin, soothing muscles and leaving behind a sense of pleasure.

The purple eyed boy had to admit, Seto was probably the most attractive and youngest customer he had ever served. He'd likely even do a good job working at the places. If that were the case, Yugi might even see him differently. Nonetheless, Yugi was raised in a world that left no appreciation in him for the physical beauty so admired and sought after by everyone else.

All in all, it was probably the best private session Yugi had done. Unlike those Yugi was used to, Seto was cool and controlled, even when at a place designed to take that and all stress away, if for a brief period. For this Yugi was extremely grateful. Seto's distant interest was far preferred over the wild lust he was used to.

Seto was enjoying himself, eyes closed and letting Yugi's gentle hands release all the stress and tension from his muscles. Enjoyable in itself, but Yugi's lack of clothes allowed Seto's mind to indulge itself in further fantasies. In a way, it annoyed him he wouldn't be able to get anything more sexual then a massage and a show. However, at the same time, it appealed to his competitive side.

Motou was the forbidden fruit, and Seto was determined to obtain it.

Seto had no desire to leave Yugi's touch, but he knew he had to go soon, and, he had spent time enough in that room already, so he dismissed the stripper, requested a prostitute to work off all the sexual desire he had gained since seeing Yugi, and left.

Yugi shoved his work clothes in his locker the way any half-asleep teen would, blinking several times and relieved to be off work. Had he been more awake, he'd be happy. Thanks to Kaiba, he had earned far more money then he usually would, which was already a good amount.

'The sooner I earn the money I need and pay for Grandpa's hospital bills, the sooner I can quit this and live a normal life without feeling like I'm no more then a pretty doll.'

Yugi shuffled out the door, rubbing his eyes and sending good nights to the other workers, who were also packing up to go home.

By the door stood a fierce, punk-looking blond in torn black leather, with a dog collar and spikes on his clothes. Messy blond hair half covered honey colored eyes, and a slight pout was on his thick lips. He was slightly tanned and very attractive, especially to anyone who liked the 'bad boy' type. He was muscular, but not overly so, with an overall lean build. He glared at anyone who looked at him wrong, which was the way people tended to look at anyone attractive who was in The Whip. However, his toffee eyes immediately softened when they fell upon Yugi, and he even managed a smile.

Yugi, too, brightened as soon as he saw him, running and throwing his arms around the blonde. (Causing jealous stares from anyone still within The Whip who didn't know the two.) "Joey!"

Joey grinned, squeezing Yugi gently in return. "Hey Yug, how's it going?"

Yugi and Joey had been childhood friends. The blond was unnaturally strong, and he had taken it upon himself to be an escort for his vulnerable friend. On top of that, they liked each others company, and their jobs ended at around the same time.

If, of course, you called Joey's source of income a job, which included emptying the pockets of the wealthy customers of The Whip and other clubs. It may not be considered respectable, but it was how Joey survived.

"You should stay over tonight." Yawned Yugi as the two parted and began to head out. "Even if I live around the suburbs because the game shop, I'm still scared to be there alone. Besides," Yugi turned his enchanting purple eyes upwards, pleading for the blond to agree. "I'd really like the company. It's lonely…."

Joey smiled affectionately, nodding in agreement. "I'd like it too. Not just because your house is nicer then my dump and you can actually make edible food either." Both grinned at this, Joey's one room apartment was notoriously messy, and he usually couldn't make anything beyond take out and microwavable dinners. However, since Yugi's grandfather, who had raised him since he was eight, seemed to have the same problem, Yugi had learned to cook. He was far from a master chef, but he could whip up some rather nice meals, and grew better with time and experimentation.

"Seriously, though," Joey continued. "I don't like the thought of you alone either. And on top of that, I also would enjoy the company."

Yugi smiled, and hugged the blond. "Thanks, Joey."

"Heh, no problem Yug. What're friends for? Sides, I'll enjoy it too."

The friends smiled at each other, laughing and talking to Yugi's house. Joey's reputation extended well past the slums, and even the city, and they weren't bothered by anyone, despite their good looks.

Seto slammed his door behind him, smiling inwardly in satisfaction. One of the many benefits of having a large house- he could slam the door without having to worry about Mokuba. And after his day, he felt he deserved it. Sure, the trip to The Whip definitely helped, but the message waiting in his limousine afterwards was not something he wanted to see.

In fact, it left him inwardly cursing the sheer idiocy of the world around him, especially his employees.

Apparently someone, (they had been hesitant to submit anyone to Seto's wrath, but the powerful brunette knew that he'd correct that little problem very quickly when he arrived the next day) had completely screwed up the files and pamphlets for an important meeting the next day. That meant Seto had to be there at three in the morning to try to correct it, and may have to cancel the meeting anyway. Considering the time that he usually got home, this meant that he'd be back for food before leaving for his office again, with only a few hours worth of sleep before the meeting. Seto closed his eyes and massaged his temples, storming into the kitchen and making some coffee. Some very, very strong coffee, because he most certaintly would need it. Seto pulled out a bagel and some cream cheese, deciding to go fast so that he might end up with a few hours sleep before the start of the meeting. It would definitely give a better impression….

Seto spread the cream cheese, allowing his mind to wander. Rather then focus on the nightmare at his corporation, (he'd be doing plenty of that shortly) he decided to let his thoughts rest on more pleasant things.

Of course his minds selection was Yugi. The CEO knew that at least until he could get the teen into his pants, he'd be the center of every one of Seto's fantasies. Already, Seto felt that sleeping with him once would not be enough, a thought that scared and excited him at once. Seto didn't know nor care what about the teen he found so appealing, but he decided he needed to think of a way to win him into his bed. Easy as it would make it, Seto had a gut feeling that money alone would not convince him. (Then again, what fun would that be?) Until then, Seto decided he would book Yugi every day, and see what he could learn. It would be pure torture, but the cold teen knew how to deal with desire.

If he played his cards right, Kaiba would end up with a beautiful "companion" as his prize. And Seto Kaiba never lost.

"Here we are, home sweet home." Yugi sighed happily as he unlocked the door to the game shop, letting Joey in then locking it behind him. The blonde looked around, smiling. Yugi's grandfather was in the hospital now, but he ran a shop filled with games, including some really rare and unusual ones, and it was always fun to look around. Of course right now it was a bit messy, but it was nothing compared to Joey's house.

The blonde's attention turned back to Yugi as the tri-color-haired boy led him into the small kitchen and dining room, separated only by a small counter. Joey sat on the counter while Yugi pulled out a pot, filling it with water and setting it on the stove, before opening the pantry and bending over to grab some uncooked noodles.

"Aw, you're just making spaghetti?" Joey asked with mock disappointment, grinning cheekily at his friend. "And I came here expecting a five star meal. Man, what a disappointment."

"Sorry Joey," Yugi replied, crinkling his nose, sticking his tongue out and pointing a ladle accusingly towards the blond. "But I've been working all day. I can't do five star meals, anyway. Go to Palais des Fleurs or Fruits of the Gods for that."

"Now you've just gone an destroyed all my respect for you, Yug. Here I thought you were a master cook, while you are merely…." The blonde shrugged airily, trying to stop the wide grin that threatened to ruin the façade. "A spaghetti maker."

Both laughed, Yugi putting plenty of noodles in to satiate his friends' large appetite, while bringing out some sauce.

"A spaghetti maker who doesn't even make his own sauce!"

Yugi held the ladle threateningly. "Don't make me use this!" He joked. "I am a master in the arts of ladle warfare!"

"Ah! I surrender. And I have new respect for you, oh almighty master of the secrets of the ladle!" Joey emphasized this with mock bowing motions, and both laughed.

They continued to talk and joke, until Yugi finished making the spaghetti, serving most of it into Joey's place and giving himself much more modest portions. Unlike Joey, he didn't have an appetite like a garbage disposal.

The two finished dinner, dumping the dishes into the sink (which was waiting patiently for it's well-earned wash, though Yugi kept putting it off.) Yugi walked out, covering another yawn.

"Tired?" Joey asked, chuckling at the disgruntled 'no-shit' look that was Yugi's reply. Without another word, he walked over and swept up the small teen, carrying him in his arms.

Yugi blinked in surprise. "Joey?"

"Don't worry, Yug." Joey said with a wink. "You're light as a feather." That said, he dumped him unceremoniously onto the bed, grinning at the surprised "oof!" sound Yugi made as he landed.

"I guess you should get dressed first…." Joey mused as Yugi gathered himself and turned to glare at him. The glare turned into a surprised exclamation as Joey pulled his shirt off, laughing maniacally.

"You don't have your ladle now, Yugi! You're defenseless! Bwahahahaha!" he exclaimed as he held up the leather shirt.

"Not as defenseless as you might think!" Countered Yugi, as he jumped up, soaring through the air and sliding through Joey's legs, pantsing him and giggling maniacally as he went. He reached his closet and stood up, having just enough time to grab his pajamas before Joey had thrown his pants away and was after him again. Quickly, he sped towards the bed.

"You're faster then you look." Joey said, dropping the shirt and heading after Yugi. "But you won't escape!"

"Watch me!" Yugi challenged, dashing over the bed and onto the other side. Grinning, Joey jumped right over the bed to land right in front of the shorter teen, who stared open-mouthed. Taking advantage of this, Joey pulled said gaping teens' pants down.

"My my, what a sexy g-string ya got there, Yug." Joey said with a snicker. "Not as innocent as you appear, eh?"

Yugi blushed profusely, but rolled his eyes nonetheless. "Joey, I do work at a strip club…."

"Yeah, yeah, excuses excuses."

Yugi glared, (though it was really more of a pout) and discarded the undergarment, slipping on instead his pajamas, which were blue and scattered with large yellow stars. Joey just smiled in amusement.

"Yeah, you look like a real stripper wearing that."

Yugi just stuck his tongue out childishly, pulling on the top, and Joey smiled affectionately, ruffling Yugi's hair and snickering at the glare it caused. "But I like you this way, you're just so darn cute."

Yugi opened his mouth, but was interrupted by his own yawn. "I'm too tired for this, Joey…. Can we just get some sleep?"

Joey nodded compliantly, taking off his color, turning off the light and getting into bed next to Yugi. "Night Yug."

"Night." Yugi mumbled sleepily, and even as they slept, the sun was just starting to rise, behind the barred windows covered by black curtains.

Employees scattered like rabbits as Seto stormed through the building and to his office. The door swung open, slamming against the other side of the wall with a loud crash, and the four people sitting around a large table jumped, then swallowed loudly.

One stepped nervously forward, face white and pale. "M-Mr. Kaiba, sir-" he began with a stutter, only to be interrupted by Seto.

"Firstly, who the hell did it." Seto asked, slamming his hands against the desk.

"Sir, I-"

"Please remember that no one here is invaluable, or anywhere close. If you wish to keep your jobs, I suggest you tell me, right now."

The man quickly nodded, collecting the sheets he had in front of them and sliding them over to Kaiba. The brunette snatched them up, eyes traveling swiftly over them as he absorbed the information they held. He looked calm, aside from the deadly fierceness in his eyes.

Finishing, Seto flicked them to the side, bringing out his laptop and typing up an email to his personal assistant informing him to immediately fire the individuals responsible, without pay. As he typed, he spoke with deadly calm to the four sweating men before him.

"This isn't that hard to take care of, had you been competent, you could have handled it yourselves. Obviously you aren't ready for your positions and must be immediately downgraded." The four surged into protest, but they were silenced by an icy stare. "Must I repeat that none of you are invaluable? Be happy you aren't being fired. You will be sent a memo informing you of your new offices and duties. Hopefully you'll be able to handle that." Seto's voice was dripping with disdain as he continued typing, giving his assistant information on the downgrades. "Until then, you will be responsible for cleaning up your own messes. You will redo the entire presentation for the meeting and have it set up and ready by three o'clock this afternoon. I will come by then and if it's not ready, you will find your new offices located in the janitor's closet."

Seto closed his laptop with a slam, growling inwardly in anger as he stormed out of the room. He in no way needed to be there to arrange that, and decided that the four in charge of the meeting weren't the only incompetent people. He'd deal with the rest tomorrow- at least now he'd actually be able to get some sleep.

No matter how hard the sun tried, it just couldn't brighten the large city. Corruption seemed to have sunk and oozed into the city like the trash and graffiti that littered it. Oh, there were nice places, away from all that- the suburbs with the mansions and cooperate buildings of the rich. Here sirens blared less often and cops protoled more. Gunshots were less common…. But not the beautiful men and women with empty eyes next to their selfish, powerful 'owners.'

This place had its own type of horror and coldness, though the streets were paved and clean, and boredered by precisely grown plants and flowers…. Even the grand structures of marble and fine architecture could not hide that feeling of something being off that rested in the pit of the world.

This was Seto's domain.

He was a king among kings, wealthy and powerful yet young and attractive. Most of those who dealt with him wanted him, and this only worked to his advantage. Yet his exterior was cold and precise, intelligent eyes calculating the world around him with undeniable genius. He was desired, feared and respected by all…. Including this meeting of other wealthy aristocrats.

Seto, of course, was seated at the head of the table, but no one complained. Perhaps because they did not want to get on Seto's bad side, or perhaps because they'd much rather take advantage of the fact to admire his icy beauty. Either way, the meeting was running smoothly. Everything had been immaculately prepared, and Seto conducted the meeting with a courteous but cold eloquence.

By the end of it, in fact, he had fed all the eager business people everything they wanted to know. They lapped it up like dogs eating table scraps, buying right into him. He watched them go with a smug, slightly disdainful smile. He settled back into his sleep, idly taking a bite at one of the standard dishes of treats, not really caring so much what it was as he turned on his laptop. His first order of business was to find adequate job openings for the original failures. They had fixed their mistake well enough, which Seto took into consideration.
It took him about an hour to finish plotting out the right positions for them and making all the needed arrangements. Before he closed down his laptop and settled it into his briefcase to go into his office, however, he looked up some up to the minute data charts. Just as he suspected, all of the companies in the meeting had filed multiple orders for his company products. Seto smirked. All to easy…
He stood up, pausing to glance out the window. It had a view of the city that extended as far as the slums…. Which of course turned his memory once again to Yugi. Ah, he came up so often, but Seto couldn't help but dwell on how perfect his touch was, how captivatingly beautiful his features…. Seto shook his head quickly. Now was not the time…. But that night, he'd be paying the small teenager a visit….