CHAPTER 2

The lunch bell rung at last. Joey sigh a sigh full of joy. Yugi smile at him and started putting stuff away. Joey shove all his stuff into his bag and headed for the door with Yugi. He stole a glance at Kaiba who were still sitting in his desk with his journal out and a bunch of other papers. He's such a workaholic. Don't he ever rest?

"Joey is everything alright?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, you're not walking and you kept staring at Kaiba."

"Huh?"

Just then he realize, he had in fact had stop walking and were staring at Kaiba intensively. He quickly turn to Yugi hoping Kaiba hadn't notice, which of course he was wrong. They continue on while Joey said a little prayer hoping Kaiba wouldn't notice.

They joined their friends a little later and they all sat in their usual table and started eating. "Guys, I gotta go to the restroom, I'll see you guys later," Joey stood up and left them. On the way, he pass the boy restroom and continue on. He didn't need to use the restroom, but whether he need to call Katashi. Katashi left him a text message to report back to him when he had free time.

Joey enter an empty classroom and dial Katashi's number. "Hello? Katashi?"

"It's me."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to remind you about the trip we're going on this weekend."

"I remember. I'm not that stupid. But are you sure it had to be this weekend?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well, Yug and the gang wants to go to the arcade on the weekend."

"Sir, remember who you are! You can't afford to goof around!"

"Yes yes. I get it. What time do I have to get home today?"

"As soon as you get out of school."

"Ok. Got it."

Joey hung up the phone and sigh. Going back to the mansion after all these years, I don't know if I can take it.

"Who's in here?"

Joey look up as someone enter the room. Seto Kaiba step into the classroom and gave a little smirk.

"Here I thought that I caught a big fish, but it seems to be a mutt instead."

Joey clench his hand at his comment and put his phone in his pocket. He walk quietly pass Kaiba touching their shoulders a little bit. Before he could react, Kaiba grab his arm, almost made him stumble.

"K-Kaiba?"

Kaiba smirk and whisper into Joey's ear, "I can't wait for the return of the Red Dragon. Oh, and I can see your tattoo from this angle."

Speechless and frozen in his steps, Joey couldn't utter a single word. Kaiba let an even bigger smirk appear on his face and left the room. He… knew…

Joey clench the arm that Kaiba was holding onto just a few second ago. For the first time ever, he felt a fear far greater than anything. It penetrated him like nothing. His body tremble a little as he remember Katashi. I can't let Katashi find out. I can't. He could feel his heart trouble at this upcoming lie.

He didn't rejoin his friends after that little encounter. He was too afraid to say anything. If Kaiba were to reveal who he is, his real identity would be found out and the Blue Dragon will definitely absolutely not let them live. Wait, Kaiba is the leader of the Blue Dragon, that means he's already doom. But as far as he's concern, Kiaba hadn't send any assassins after him or Katashi. That means that he's ok for now. However, he had to absolutely keep this from Katashi and to do that, he need Kaiba cooperation.

There is only one place where Kaiba would be at a time like this. The library.

He slowly and quietly open the library door. No body look up and he was glad for that. The librarian gave a little bow as he pass. Joey return the little gesture. His eyes wander around the library a bit until he spotted Kaiba in the back of the library typing away on his laptop. Joey took a deep breath and walk toward Kaiba. As he approach, Kaiba look up at him and gave a little smirk.

"What do I own this pleasure of having leader of the Red dragon before me?"

Joey ignore his comment, "I can't talk here, would you come with me please?"

Kaiba follow Joey as they left the library and headed for the roof. Once up there, and no one was around, Joey look Kaiba straight in the eyes with a serious expression, "I want to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Kaiba asked interested in what he was going to say next.

"Yes. I want you to keep quiet about everything… about the Red dragon and me. Can you do that?"

"What does it benefit me?"

"Well, what do you want?"

Kaiba smirk and step closer to Joey who remain in his spot. Not long, their faces were so close that if Kaiba move just a little closer, their lips would have touch.

"In return, I can do whatever I want with you."

Joey felt a weird feeling forming in his heart. He look up at Kaiba and sigh in agreement. Kaiba touch Joey's chin and made him look at him, "Good doing business with you." Joey was a little to late to react when their lips touch. It wasn't a long kiss that involved tongue movement or anything, but it was still a passionate touch of their lips. Frozen again, Joey couldn't push Kaiba away until they parted on their own. Leaving the stupefied Joey behind, Kaiba gave a little wave back as he left.

What just happen? Just now… our lips… His face heat up and he could feel his heart beat faster as the weird feeling he felt earlier continue to grow. He touch his lips and wipe away the taste and sensation that still remain. I think I just make a deal with the devil. A blue devil.

Joey was trying his best to ignore Kaiba the whole time they were in class. Thankfully, tomorrow there will be no school, so he wouldn't get to face Kaiba. He touch his lips again. I can still taste his lips. He quickly wipe away the taste again. I hate myself.

"Joey? Is something wrong with your lips?"

He turn to Yugi who's concern again. He gave another assure smile, "No I'm fine. My lips just feel weird."

"You're acting really weird today Joey. Are you sure you're ok?"

"No doubt! I'm extremely fine. No need to worry yourself."

"Is that you who's talking Mr. Wheeler."

Katsuya Jounouchi was change into Joey Wheeler for their survival. Kashimoto-sensei was angry with the interruption and was glaring at Joey.

"I'm sorry Kashimoto-sensei. I was repeating what you said to myself so I get it more. Sorry for the interruption."

Kashimoto-sensei immediately return to his good mood and went right back to explaining what he just wrote down. This time he repeat them a little bit so Joey could repeat it to himself which really annoys him.

Joey hated himself even more when their eyes lock on each other by accident. His heart beat faster and he could feel his face flush. Kaiba, however, was very clam and gave a little smirk. Somehow, Joey can't said he hate it all that much now. But that feeling made him hate himself even more.

"Joey, are you sure you can't back out on your trip tomorrow?"

"Nope. Dad wouldn't allow it."

Yugi and Joey were on their way down the street by now. However, his mind kept on drifting to Kaiba. I don't think I can ever back out now.

They said their goodbyes as Joey got inside his house. Katashi was there to greet him, "Welcome home sir," and gave a little bow. Joey handed him his school bag, "I told you not to do that."

"Sorry sir. You best get ready soon. We'll leave first thing tomorrow."

"I know, you don't have to constantly remind me every single time we're going somewhere. I'll be in my room until dinner."

"Very well."

Joey headed off to his room and lock the door once he was in. He lay down on the bed and sigh in exhaustion. First step: act as if nothing happen is officially clear. Now all I had to do is keep it up. He touch his lips again. It still feels weird. Joey roll over to his side and close to his eyes.

Beep! Beep! "Nn," Joey moan as he reach for his phone in his pocket. He flip it open and answer, "Hello?"

"Hello puppy."

He open his eyes instantly and sat up, "K-Kaiba?"

"Yes, who else do you think it is?"

"Uh, no one in particular," why is he calling me, "Say, when did you start calling me puppy?"

"Just now. Judging by your earlier tone, you must have been asleep."

"No, I was trying to when you call me. Anyway, how did you get my number?"

"Have you already forgotten who I am?"

"Oh that's right. Anyway, aside from that, why did you call?"

"Can you come out right now?"

"Right now," his heart beat faster which give out a warm feeling, "But why?"

"I'll be at the park near your house."

"Wait! Wha-?"

Beep! Kaiba hung up before Joey could even ask him anything. What the heck is his problem? Joey threw his phone on the bed, which bounce off and onto the floor. Oops. He quickly reach for it. He flip it open and it seems ok. Wait, he said that he'll be waiting for me at the park near here. Joey quickly change into a causal blue t-shirt and jean. He head down stairs after grabbing his cell phone and wallet.

"Where are you going sir?" Katashi asked as he pop out of the kitchen.

"I'm going to Yug for a bit. I'll be right back."

"Please do be careful."

"Got it!"

Joey close the door and headed in the direction of the park. He pull out his phone and dial Yugi's number.

"Hello?" a voice answer over the phone.

"Yugi it's me."

"Oh hey Joey. What's up?"

"I told dad I'm going to your place, so if he call can you cover up for me?"

"Sure. You're on a date or something?"

"Yeah, something like that. Anyway thanks."

"You're welcome."

They hung up. Joey always had Yugi cover up for him when he go somewhere. Katashi always call incase Joey lied and go somewhere else. Joey could see a tall brunet figure sitting on one of the swing. The park was practically empty. As he approach, the brunet look up as if he can sense Joey or something.

"How did you know it was me?" he asked he stopped.

"I just knew." was Kaiba's answer, "Why don't you sit down first?"

Joey did as he was told and sat down on the empty swing next to Kaiba.

"Why did you call me out here?" Joey went to the point immediately.

"I was bored and I've done with work, besides I want someone to talk to."

"Why didn't you just call someone else?"

"Why would I do that when I had you?"

That line made Joey feel all warm inside. It made him almost wanted to put his arm around Kaiba. He quickly kick that thought out of his head though.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked.

"Are you free tomorrow?"

"Huh? Uh, no I'm… going somewhere tomorrow. Why?"

"I thought we could go on a date or something."

Date? Joey blush and turn away to hide his face.

"Sorry, I can't go."

"Oh well, we can postpone it until you're back. Where are you going by the way?"

"Uh, well… me and dad are going to visit some place."

"Is it to visit the Red Dragon's mansion?"

Joey look at him, surprised, "How Did you Know?"

"I'm Seto Kaiba for your information. Of course I'll know where you go if I just investigate."

"So you investigate my background and thus found out who I am?"

"Well, I wasn't investigating you at first. I was just curious about who the Red Dragon was that my step-father was so obsessed with. After the annihilation of the Red Dragon, my step-father kept everything under absolute secrecy. But when I took over, I open up the file and in it, it contain absolutely everything you need to know about the Red Dragon. As I was going through the file I found out that the next head of the Red Dragon was still alive. As I went into deeper investigation, I found out that you were the next head. I couldn't believe it at first though. Anyway, don't worry about it, I did all the investigation myself."

"Uh, I'm not worried about it at all. I was just surprised how much you knew about me. Even tough, I don't know much about you at all."

Kaiba gave a little smile, not his usual smirk, but a gentle actual smile, "I guess I won't see you for a while."

"A while? Are you going somewhere?"

"On a business trip. I'm leaving the day you get back."

"Oh, I see."

That was a let down, he wanted to see Kaiba when he came back. Wait! He's the enemy, I can't have these thoughts toward him. I just can't! He turn away to regain his composure, then look at Kaiba again.

"Well, I have to get home before dad start getting worried."

He got up and look at Kaiba who still sitting down. Kaiba look at him and stood up as well, "I guess I'll get home as well."

He reach out a hand for Joey to shake. But when Joey touch his hand, he was pull into a gentle embrace. Kaiba held him tightly like they'll never see each other again.

"See you soon, puppy."

As they parted, Joey could still smell his scent. He look up at Kaiba who was smiling down at him. He look away embarrassed, "Uh, see you then."

Joey quickly ran for home. Kaiba chuckle at this action and watch as he disappear around the corner. "Yes, see you soon."