Hello ya'll! Here's a new story fresh from the market! Just want to let my fair readers know that the timeline might be a bit off for this. This story begins at the end of the series, and right now they are all in their last year of school. If you see any inconsistencies, let me know, I won't bite. (Or maybe I will, mwhahaha). I'll be using their english names, just because. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. The story and characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi.


"No! Gah! I can't believe I died again!"

Joey Wheeler let out a soft chuckle as the long raven hair kid next to him proceeded to throw his controller across the carpet. Honey eyes watched him whine in amusement. Was this what he looked like when he lost a game to Yugi?

Mokuba turned to him after picking up his remote. "Rematch. I demand a rematch."

"I'm sure," Joey said teasingly, "Especially since you helped create this game."

KabiaCorp just released a new game called The Trials of the Dragons. While most of it was single player, he and Mokuba would often battle it out in multiplayer. Kaiba, of course, locked it where no one but him could use the Blue Eyes White Dragon. Joey has been playing his Red Eyes Black Dragon, demanding no one else but him could play it whenever he duked it out with someone else, mostly Mokuba.

After Battle City and helping the Pharaoh retain his memories and pass over, Joey didn't know what to do now that his life was back to normal. He found purpose in cheering Yugi up after Atem left to move on into the afterlife. He often found himself missing his friend too, but he knew it would hit Yugi the hardest.

Three months had passed. They were all in their last year of high school. It was nearly hard to believe. Yugi had slowly moved on, but still had small bouts of depression. He was busy helping his grandfather and their family friend at the museum with Egyptian artifacts. In a way, Joey assumed it was Yugi trying to be close to Atem. Ryou was overseas in Egypt. Tea and Tristan were busy with work and trying to get a scholarship for college.

Joey…well, a lot had changed in three months. He was now working night shifts as a security guard at KaibaCorp. He wasn't sure if Kaiba knew, but Mokuba was on the hiring committee and was eager to hire him. Joey liked the job, because he and Yako, the other guard on duty, would often take turns having one person sleep on duty while the other watch. Plus, the pay was better than most of his other jobs.

He hated the fact that he worked in a company related to his arch-rival. Even his friends didn't know where he worked. As the months progressed, Mokuba would often chat with Joey on shift while waiting for his brother, and then proceed to laugh when Joey would hide from Kaiba when Richboy would leave the building late himself.

He and Mokuba grew close. They had a lot in common. And to Joey, Mokuba felt like the younger brother he never had.

Mokuba let out another cry as he was beaten again. Player 2 Wins was flashing across the screen. Joey stretched out, poking a finger in Mokuba's ribs causing the kid to squeal.

"Kicked your butt again."

"That's it. We're playing Mario Kart. At least I can beat you in that game."

Joey just laughed as if Mokuba said something ridiculous. They paused as Joey's stomach growled as if it had a life of its own. He smiled sheepishly. "Eh, maybe I'll order some pizza. My treat?"

Mokuba raised a brow. "Joey. My brother gave me money for the night. I'll pay it. You save it for your rent."

It was sad how Mokuba was the only one who currently knew about his living situation.

"Alright. Alright." Joey held up his hands in mock surrender. "What do you want?"

"I'll order it. Large pepperoni and a Hawaiian pizza coming up!"

"Don't forget the crazy bread!" Joey called as Mokuba left the room, heading toward the kitchen. Joey sat there, looking up more information on his Red Eyes as he waited. He suddenly tensed in alert as he heard the front door open.

"Mokie?" Kaiba called out. "I'm home."

"Big brother!" Joey heard Mokuba rush across the foyer to give his brother a hug as indicated by Kaiba's soft grunt. He turned and watched the scene from the living room.

"Did you get dinner yet?"

"I ordered pizza!"

Kaiba grimaced. "Again? You need to start eating a bit healthier."

"I would've. If you didn't fire our last cook."

Joey was surprised to see Kaiba ruffle Mokuba's hair affectionately. For a brief time, Joey could forget how much he despised the guy. He wondered about Serenity and how she was doing. He missed her greatly.

As Kaiba's cold blue eyes lifted from his brother and caught sight of Joey across the room, it was as if there was a sudden tense stillness in the air as if someone stepped on a land mine. The warm affectionate eyes turned to ice as the eyes narrowed at the blond. Joey proceeded to do the same.

"Did you get lost, Mutt? Is Mokuba calling for your owners?"

"Shut it, Moneybags." Joey snarled as he clenched his fists.

"Seto, it's okay. I told you I was inviting him over," Mokuba said as he pulled on his brother's white trench coat.

Joey could tell that Kaiba was trying hard to bite back another remark to him. He looked down at his brother. "You can choose better friends than him."

"I know," Mokuba said softly as if not wanting to start an argument.

"Don't forget to take him outside when he needs a leak," Kaiba said in a growl as he headed down the foyer.

"Hey!" Joey steamed. "I'm right here. Don't insult…" he trailed off as Kaiba continued walking. He hated being called mutt. He hated how pathetic Kaiba made him feel. He hated how he always felt like the scum of Earth in Kaiba's presence. Why in hell did he have to be friends with his arch-rival's brother?

"Sorry, Joey. He's always like that when he gets home from work."

Joey's eyebrow twitch. What? The bastard was like that 24-7! But he didn't say anything. He knew how it hurt Mokuba whenever Joey said bad things about him. He swallowed any remarks and held up the Mario Kart game.

"Wanna have a go?"

He didn't see Kaiba the rest of the evening, even when the pizza arrived and Mokuba went upstairs to give him some, and he was fine with that. Mokuba mentioned how Kaiba would like to work his office when he got home. Seriously? All work and no play makes Kaiba a dull boy, or rather in Joey's opinion, a very very uptight boy. As the hour grew late, their stomach grew full, and their fingers grew tired, Mokuba set down the remote as if deep in thought.

"What is it?" Joey asked, picking up a stray pepperoni from the pizza box.

"You were right."

Joey raised a brow. "About what?"

"Kaiba doesn't have any friends."

He suddenly felt guilty about that remark back in Egypt. He didn't really mean for it to sound harsh but he did remember Kaiba visibly flinching at that statement as if Joey stabbed him right in the black sludge that Kaiba would like to call his heart.

"For as long as I remember, Kaiba has always been alone."

Joey rubbed the back of his neck. He hated whenever Mokuba did this. Hell, even when Yugi did this. He was terrible at cheering people up and knowing the right thing to say.

"Mokuba, he's never been alone. He's always had you."

"I know. It's different though. We are close, but Kaiba has to stay strong for me, has to take care of me. He never ever lets his wall down. He needs a friend now more than ever. He's getting worse."

"Well, maybe we'll put an ad in the newspaper: Moneybags looking for best friend. Hell, get him a dog! They are very loyal companions."

"I was thinking you."

Joey's jaw dropped dramatically. He sweat dropped. "Eh. Mokuba. I don't know if you noticed, but I'm the last guy on the planet that Kaiba would ever be friends with. We're like North Korea and South Korea. We see each other all the time, but that doesn't mean we're going to get along anytime soon."

"But don't you see! You're the only one he talks to!"

"He insults me! There's a difference!"

"I mean," Mokuba let out a sigh as he tried to think of a way to say his next words correctly, "He doesn't talk to Yugi or anyone else unless spoken to first. You're the only one he'll speak to without be provoked."

Why was Mokuba asking him of this? Was the little brother that concern for Kaiba? Sure, Joey may not like Moneybags much, but he still held Kaiba in high respect even if he'd never admit it to the bastard's face. And he still felt bad for what he said to the guy. Yugi gave Joey a second chance even when Joey used to bully him. Isn't that what everyone needs? A second chance? But friends with Kaiba? It was like a cat and a dog trying to live together.

"I don't know," Joey drawled out.

And then there it was; the puppy dog eyes. The stupid, stupid puppy dog eyes. The violent eyes were wide and brimmed with tears. And who said Mokuba didn't learn his master manipulation from his brother.

"Fine," Joey said. Anything to get the kid to stop crying. "Fine. I'll try. But I can't make any promises!"

Mokuba held up a pinky. "Just promise me you'll give it everything you have."

What the hell was Joey getting himself into. "Fine. I promise."

And he wrapped in own pinky around Mokuba, concealing the promise he made. Why did Joey feel as if he made a deal with the devil?


Joey swallowed the huge lump in his throat he stared across the lunch room. He was standing by the food court, holding his tray of various foods. He kept looking back and forth from Yugi and the gang's table to Kaiba's.

He wasn't surprise to see the bastard sitting at a small table by himself. He hadn't seen Kaiba at all today until the guy walked in late last hour Math. Joey played the coward and avoided eye contact with him the whole hour.

Screw this. He was going to sit with his friends. Then Mokuba's puppy dog eyes appeared in his head as if mocking him. Gah! Why did he make that promise? What was that old saying: don't make promises you can't keep. Why didn't he listen? He grumbled as he found his legs making his way over to Kaiba's table. He slammed his tray down and sat in the seat next to Kaiba.

Kaiba looked up from his book and gave him a quizzed look. "Do you need to get your eyes check, Mutt? The nerd squad is over there."

Joey shrugged. "I wanted to sit here, Moneybags."

Kaiba scoffed. "No one sits with me, mongrel. Not even a bottom-feeding scum like you. Leave."

Joey's eyes twitched. His mouth curled up in a snarl. He was so going to break this stupid promise.

"Well, I don't see this table marked as property of Seto Kaiba so I can sit here if I want." Then he proceeded to add under his breath, "Arrogant prick."

This time, it was Kaiba's eye who twitched. "For the last time, tell Yugi and the others that I don't want your pitiful little friendship. You're all nothing but a bunch of weaklings. I don't want to be associated with any of you."

"Don't worry, Richboy, I don't want to be associated with an ass like you either."

Fiery honey eyes met cold ice blue. The staring contest went on for a while. Suddenly, Kaiba stood up. Without word, he briskly walked away, his trench coat fluttering behind him as if making a statement. Joey didn't know what was worse; the lack of insult or the fact the he made the grand Kaiba walk away from him.

What the hell? Joey went back to usual table, ignoring his friends' questions on what happened. He just laughed it away. As he took a bite from his sandwich, he looked back at the table and wondered if Kaiba would have walked away from Yugi, Tea, Duke or Tristan. He was surprised that Kaiba didn't force him to leave.

"Hey Joey."

Joey looked up at Yugi who had his cell phone out. It reminded Joey of his lack thereof.

"Yeah, Yuge?" he asked between a mouthful of food.

"Mokuba wanted to know how the, um, Gentlemen's Agreement is going? What does he mean by that?"

Joey groaned and placed his head against the table. The day he and Kaiba would become friends would be the day that hell froze over. And the sad thing was he couldn't bear to let the kid down.

He needed a game plan. He needed Mokuba's help in this. He needed to check and make sure he wasn't going to go crazy.

What the hell did he get himself into?