Lime Rocker: Well here's my second installment of "The Consequences of Change." I hope you enjoy it! Sorry it's a lot shorter then my last chapter.
THANKS GOES TO LADYSABER AND THE PEOPLE ON THE JOULOVESSKAIBA LIVE JOURNAL GROUP!
Pairing: (Puppyshipping) SetoxJou, KaibaxJou. SIDE: ValonxMai, YamixYuugi, OtogixHonda, BakuraxRyou
Rating: T for Teen (RATING SUBJECT TO CHANGE!)
Chapter 2: The Park's a Playground
Seto sighed before flipping his cell phone out of his pocket, "Kaiba."
"Hello Seto."
Kaiba Seto blinked, "Mokuba?" He asked, unsure as to why his brother would be calling him. "Is everything alright? What's wrong?" he knew he sounded like a worried mother, but he couldn't help it. It was his brother after all.
A giggle erupted from the other end. "Yep. The one and only! And nothing's wrong. Just thought I would call my big brother and see what he's up to!" the younger Kaiba cheered.
"I'm going to the office. I have a few things to do before tomorrow." Seto replied leaning back into the leather of the limo's seat. "Why are you calling me? Isn't it…" Seto looked at his clock, and did some fast calculating in his mind, "… about 2 in the morning in America?"
"Actually, it's about ten o'clock where I am."
Seto raised an eyebrow at his phone, "Moki, you didn't drop out did you?"
Mokuba laughed again, "No, but I was two weeks a head on homework, and all my teachers said it would be alright, so I decided to pay a visit to my dear brother. After all you just moved back, so I thought you might need some help getting used to the old days."
"There are no more old days, Mokuba. They are old for a reason. It's time for the new." He could almost hear Mokuba rolling his eyes.
"Stop pretending to be some philosopher, Seto. You can't pull it off."
Seto shook his head, but smiled "Where are you?"
"Pulling into the mansion right now. You'd better get here fast before I turn the house upside down."
Kaiba sighed, "Be there in thirty."
--
"Kenji, guess who's here early?" Honda called, stepping into their living room.
Jou followed his two friends, stepping in behind them. "Hey there kiddo. Thought I told you to be in bed by 9."
"Daddy!" came a cry, and a flash of yellow latched onto the blonde man's leg.
"Ready to go sport?" Jou asked, scooping down and picking the kid up.
"Uh huh!" the little boy nodded, smiling up at his father.
"Can I have the keys to my car back, Honda." Jou turned to the other brown-eyed man who held the keys up.
"Thanks for letting me borrow it. Mine's in the shop, and Otogi had to use his today." Honda placed the keys into their owners waiting palm. "See ya later Kenj'!" He ruffled the blonde hair and the boy laughed.
"See you two, and thanks." Jounouchi nodded before stepping out of the house.
"Did you have fun with Uncle Honda and Uncle Otogi today?" Jou asked as he placed his son into the back booster seat. Kenji covered his mouth as he yawned, but nodded. His father chuckled, closing the door before walking around the car. "Good to hear. Go to sleep we'll be home soon. And don't forget tomorrow is Saturday." Katsuya looked in the rearview mirror to see his son's soft smile before he drifted to sleep. Jou smiled, and made the way home.
--
"Onii-san!"(1) a voice yelled the second he stepped through the door.
"Mokuba." He laughed, returning the massive hug his younger brother was giving him. "Good to see you too little brother." Seto blinked, and pulled back from his brother. "Did you cut your hair?" he tried his best to suppress his smile. He had been trying to get Mokuba to cut his hair since high school, and the boy simply refused.
"Yeah, it was getting in my way." Mokuba looked down at the floor.
"Mokuba." Seto knew his brother by now.
The raven haired boy sighed, "Girls found it a turn off." There was a slight pause, before the richest man in Japan burst out into a roar of laugher. Mokuba smiled, and grabbed his brother's hand. "We're going out tomorrow afternoon! It's Saturday, and you're taking the day off!"
"I can't Moki." Seto sighed, looking down at his brother with regret filled eyes. "I have meetings all day tomorrow."
"To bad. I already called them and rescheduled." Mokuba smiled, turning on his heels. "See you tomorrow afternoon dear brother." And before Kaiba could get a word of protest out, Mokuba vanished.
Seto shook his head, smiling at the empty hall his brother had disappeared down. "See you tomorrow."
--
"Wheee" little Kenji squealed with glee as he slid down the playground's large slide. "Daddy! Daddy look at me!" Kenji waved as he climbed up the outside of the bars, and back up into the child's play loft.
Jounouchi Katsuya laughed, waving at his son. "I see you." He smiled.
"Hi Uncle Honda, Uncle Otogi!" the boy yelled, before disappearing to play Hide-And-Go-Seek with some of his new friends.
"Hay Kid!" Otogi waved as the two sat down next to the blonde father.
Jou looked over at the two and nodded, "Hay what are you two doing here?"
"Honda wanted to get some fresh air and have some time together." Otogi paused before flashing a smirk and his lover's friend, "And I had a favor to ask you."
Katsuya narrowed his eyes, "No." Jou shook his head. "I am not helping with any more company problems Otogi." Jounouchi stood, he couldn't see Kenji.
"Aw come on Jou! It's nothing big. Just a few legal papers I need someone to look over."
"Get Honda to read them." He paused for a minute, his eyes scanning the playground.
"You know I have no idea about legal issues, Jou. I dropped out of law school remember?" Honda shook his head.
"Where's Kenji?" Jou tried to remain calm, but his heat began to beat rapidly.
Honda stood as well, searching the play area as well.
"It wont take you long, please Jou!" Otogi crossed his arms looking up at the blonde.
"I don't see him." Jou's voice shook slightly.
"We'll find him Jou. Come on Otogi, we'll go look by the bathrooms." Honda pulled Otogi up, and headed left.
Jou nodded, "Right. I'll check the fountain."
--
"You are aloud to have some fun Seto." The raven haired boy joked with his brother.
The brunette ruffled his younger brother's hair. "I am having fun, Moki." He smiled down at the raven head.
Kaiba Mokuba shook his head, "Only because I made you come out. But you don't have any friends, you never go out."
"That's not true Mokuba." Seto looked hard at his brother, his hands going into his coat's pocket.
"Then tell me Seto. How was your date last night?" Mokuba crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
Seto glared at the smaller, "Last night wasn't bad, but that woman… if you can even call her that-"
"Seto!"
"Sorry." Seto paused, "I ran into one of the Geek Squad at dinner." He didn't want to tell Mokuba he had run into the pup, but he was out of things to say.
"What? There's a Best Buy here?" Mokuba looked at his brother with big purple eyes.
Seto stopped in his tacks, a slender eyebrow raised, "Best Buy?"
"Oh! Right." Mokuba slapped his forehead slightly. "Yuugi's Gang." He shook his head. "Sorry. Best Buy is a company in America that has a computer support group called 'The Geek Squad.' Anyway, who did you see?" Mokuba smiled and pulled his brother further down the path.
"The mutt."
"Jounouchi!?" Mokuba started bouncing with glee. 'Some things never change.' Seto thought to himself, and nodded. "How is he? What has he been up to? Why is he still here? Is he doing okay?"
"Whoa whoa." Kaiba waved his hand. "I have no idea. He was our waiter. I only spoke to him when giving him my order. Anyway, he looked fine. A little less mangy, but a mutt all the same."
Mokuba smiled, "Oh so you noticed how he looked?" he raised an eyebrow at his brother.
"He was our waiter. I haven't seen him in 20 years, the changes were pretty evident." Kaiba shrugged.
"Changes?" Mokuba asked, tilting his head to the side in concern.
"Nothing horrible Mokuba: shorter hair, he was taller, still thin, he stood straighter… what are you laughing about?"
Mokuba moved his hand away from his mouth. "No… nothing dear brother." The raven haired boy as trying to stop laughing, but was failing horribly.
Seto's blue eyes narrowed "Don't lie Mokuba."
"It's just…" he burst out into another giggle fit. "You… you seem to know more about how Jou looks then your date."
"Not true. When you haven't seen someone for a long time, their changes are more evident. I've said that once alright." Seto grinded his teeth as his phone went off. "Damn it. Sorry Moki."
Mokuba sighed at his brother, but walked over to a bench a few feet away. "Note to self: take Seto's cell next time." He shook his head, watching the CEO storm down the walk way. He knew his brother would be back after the phone call. If Seto didn't walk while he was on the phone, who knew how bad he could get. He was already yelling at the person on the other end. "Some things just don't change."
--
Kenji had never been to this part of the park before. It was cool! He smiled to himself; 'No one will find me here!' he peeked out from the top of the large brush. He blinked, hearing someone yell. He ducked back under the large bush, and peered under by the roots to see two black dress shoes pause in front of him.
"Damn it Himatori. I said no! My brother is in town, and I will not be in today!" the man shouted.
'He sounds like Daddy when he's really mad.' Kenji popped his head up to get a better look at the man, but all he could see was the tall man's back, and well kept brown hair. He blinked, not being able to see the man's face. Kenji felt Goosebumps running across his skin, something about the man was familiar. 'He looks like the monster from my dream.' He was a big boy and he refused to cry, but despite his efforts he felt his eyes water.
"Hai, connect them." The man said before turning and sitting down on a park bench. Kenji crossed his arms, he wanted to see the man's face.
"Whoa!" Kenji's mouth dropped open as the mysterious man began to speak English. For some odd reason his father had taught it to him, telling him it would come in handy one day.
"Good afternoon ((Mr. Trump! No just kidding.)) Mr. Cook. Yes, I am afraid I will not be able to. Yes. Well I am sorry to hear that. Yes, good day." The man's English was pretty good.
Kenji slowly, inched out from behind the brush, and stood next to the serpentine man. He blinked, 'He sounds mad!'
"Baka! If you want to keep your job, I suggest the next time I tell you I won't take any calls you won't call me!" The man was back to Japanese.
There was a pause after the man slammed his cell phone. "You know, you shouldn't yell at people." Kenji spoke, trying to keep his English clean from any Japanese accent.
The man jumped, and turned to face the boy. 'Ah! DRAGON!' Kenji screamed in his mind, but refused to back down from the man's icy glare. "Who are you?" the man's voice was venomous.
"My name is…" he paused, smiling mischievously to himself, "Seth. Yours?" Kenji thought it sounded English. It was his middle name so he wasn't really lying to the man.
"What do you want?" the man continued to glare at the small child.
He shook his head, blonde hair flying around "You didn't answer my question. That's kinda rude."
"I was raised properly. I don't give my name out to strangers. You're parents fail at raising you." The man stood.
"My father does not." Kenji stood as well, glaring at the tall man. "Anyway, I may give out a name to strangers, but at least I don't yell at people." He shrugged.
The man raised an eyebrow, "So then your parent's raised you to lie. You name isn't Seth." He had caught Kenji's wording.
"Oh no. I didn't lie." Kenji smiled. "Anyway, I should be going. But remember it's not nice to yell at people. My dad always says that if you yell at someone or make fun of them then you wont have any friends." and with the Kenji bounded off towards the play ground, satisfied that he had proven his superiority over the mean man.
Kaiba Seto watched as the blonde child skipped off. "Stupid kid. Your daddy obviously knows nothing." He shook his head, and began to walk up the path to find Mokuba, before his phone went off again. "Damn it!"
--
"Kenji!" Jounouchi Katsuya yelled as he dashed through the park. He hadn't seen his son for the past fifteen minutes and the blonde man was getting scared. "Kenji where are you?" He stopped looking around the park, his golden eyes scanning every person.
"Jou? Jounouchi Katsuya?"
Jou stood up straight, and turned slowly. He blinked as he came face to face with a slender raven haired boy. "Mokuba?" a smile slowly spread across the younger fetchers.
"Long time no see." Mokuba smiled.
"Whoa! Hay!" Jou reached over and grabbed Mokuba into a bear hug. "How are you? What have you been up to? Oh my gosh you've grown… and cut your hair!" Jou ruffled the black hair and smiled down at the boy. "You're in college still right?"
Mokuba laughed, "I'm doing well. I've been helping Seto move in. And yes I'm still in college. What about you though? Man! Seto was right, you have changed."
Katsuya blinked, "Wha?" he shook his head, letting it slide "Mokuba I wish I could talk right now. But I need to find my son, and a babysitter. Work just called and they need me tonight." He sighed. He hated his job, but he had no choice.
"Son?" Mokuba's eyes grew wide. "You have a son?" he almost yelled.
Jounouchi nodded, and smiled proudly. "Yep, Jounouchi Kenji. Who at the moment is missing." He looked around still looking for him.
"Can I help Jou?" Mokuba asked, looking around.
"No, I'd hate to bother you." Jou smiled "What are you doing here anywa-"
"-Daddy!" Jou felt something latch onto his leg, and he sighed.
"Kenji! I've told you many times not to go off alone! You were told to stay in the playground and you deliberately left." He looked down at his son with disapproving eyes.
Kenji looked down ashamed, "I'm sorry Daddy."
"I have to work tonight. Honda and Otogi can't watch you and I have half a mind to call Sophie-sama."
Kenji's eyes widened, "No! Please not Sophie-sama! Please Daddy! She's so mean!" the little boy tried to plead with his father.
"There's no other option Kenj'."
"I'll watch him for you Jou." Mokuba smiled, having gotten over the shock of seeing the boy. "It would be cool to get to know him." Mokuba knelt down and smiled at the blonde boy. "Hi. I'm Mokuba."
Kenji blinked, but bowed, "It's very nice to meet you Mokuba-sama. My name is Jounouchi Kenji."
Jou held back a laugh, "I've known Mokuba since he was ten." He smiled at his son.
Kenji smiled, "Really?" he looked up at the raven haired boy. "What was Daddy like?"
Mokuba laughed slightly "I'll tell you tonight." He stood, "When do you have to be at work Jou?"
Katsuya shook his head, "No, I can't ask you to do this. You and your brother have to have something planned."
Mokuba nodded, "Yes, but I don't see why Kenji can't come over. After all Seto usually sneaks off and does a few hours of work anyway, this gives me something to do." He smiled. "And before we even go there, I will not take any money. But you'll have to pay me back by coming to dinner sometime." Mokuba smiled "I want to catch up."
Jou sighed, "If you're sure." He waited till Mokuba nodded "Alright. I guess I can drop him at your house at five?" he paused "I won't be able to pick him up until ten-ish."
Mokuba smiled "Works for me. Do you know where the house is?"
"I think everyone knows where the Kaiba mansion is." Jou joked.
Mokuba looked at his jacket pocket, "Hang on a minute." He held up and finger and pulled his phone out. "Moshi Moshi,(2) Kaiba Mokuba speaking. Oh hi Seto. Sorry didn't look at caller ID." He paused, and smiled slightly "No that's cool. Do you mind if I have a friend over then?" Mokuba snickered and winked at Jou. "Yeah that's right. His name's Kenji…. Uh huh… Thanks Seto!" Mokuba slipped his phone into his pocket. "How about I make life easy. Seto has to go to Kaiba Corp for a few hours. Why don't I take Kenji to get some food, and you can pick him up at the house tonight?" Mokuba smiled.
"I don't see why that won't….. Wait. Is Kaiba going to be okay with this? I realize we haven't really seen each other in twenty years, but I can't see Kaiba being okay with you taking my son for the night."
Mokuba nodded, "Yeah I don't think Seto would be okay with me babysitting anyone's kid…. But what he doesn't know can't hurt him." Mokuba smiled. "Anyway, you need a babysitter, I need something to do, and Kenji wants to hang out so everyone wins." Mokuba smiled, "Plus it's supposed to snow today, and we have the best hill for sledding!"
Jou tilted his head, "It's not that cold out though."
Mokuba shrugged, "Our weather reports are never wrong. Come on Kenji. Lets go get some hamburgers."
"Yeah!" Kenji cheered.
Jou sighed, "Alright. I'll see you tonight. Kenji, try not to run Uncle Mokuba crazy."
Kenji nodded, "Yes sir!" he smiled and grabbed Mokuba's hand.
"It was good to see you Jou!" Mokuba called as the two left towards Burger World.
(1) Means "big brother" in Japanese…. I think….
(2) "Moshi Moshi" is a Japanese phone greeting. It's like "Hello. Good day" or something along those lines.
Lime Rocker: Sorry it was shorter then the last chapter, and Jou and Seto really didn't interact at all in this chapter, but I promise they will next!! I'll also explain Jou's situation and what Kenji looks like. . I haven't really described him yet for a reason, I wanted my readers (you) to learn about Jou and Kenji the same way Kaiba does. So I hope it works out!
Peace and much love!