Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

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Chapter 4

Joey was not one to class himself as the brightest tool in the shed and accepted that he could fly off the handle for no reason. Although, if the situation involved Tristan the of course it was always Tristan's fault. Tristan was most likely asking for it. But other then that perhaps it could be classed as his fault, knowing all this it did not mean that Joey wasn't perceptive. He was. He could often tell if there was something that someone wasn't saying and Joey had noticed that there was something happening to Yugi. There was something that Yugi wasn't saying. But the problem was he did not know more than that. He didn't know what he was not saying and investigating it had not given him any answers. He had asked the others whether they knew of anything playing on Yugi's mind but they did not. So, that was why Joey was en route to Kaiba Corp. If he thought that he was perceptive then that was nothing to Atem. Atem was the kind of person who noticed everything, even more so when it came to Yugi. Seeing as those two had shared a mind it made sense that they could very easily tell when something was not right with the other. So, he would most likely know what was bothering Yugi and Joey wanted to know. If his best friend was in trouble he wanted to see what he could do to help.

The double doors of Kaiba Corp slid open revealing a large reception area. Near the back of the room was a long wooden desk with three people seated behind it. All of them were focused on the large computer screens. Around the room were various doors, where they led off to as beyond Joey. There was two lifts to either side of the reception desk, beside both of those were large signs displaying the many floor of Kaiba Corp and was what was on them. Straitening his bag slightly, he approached the desk. He was not sure which of them he should talk to. Knowing Kaiba each one of them probably had a different job. He probably looked like a right lemon standing awkwardly in front of the desk, he probably resembled a nervous school boy waiting to see the head teacher for some unknown reason. But he was really not sure what to do and for Joey, Mr Over-Confidant at times, this was rather unnerving. He was saved from this awkwardness when the lady with brown hair and soft, green eyes addressed him;

"You alright there sir?"

Joey approached the desk fully; "I was just wondering whether it would be possible to speak to my friend, Atem?"

The lady's eyes darted back to the screen; she seemed to be searching for something.

"What's his last name?"

Joey froze, he had no idea. Without releasing it an 'Ermm' sound was escaping his lips. Well, this is embarrassing, He thought.

"You never cease to amaze me Wheeler." A voice said from behind him.

Joey spun round to glare at Kaiba.

"Watch it moneybags!"

"Seriously, you call yourself one of Atem's closest friends and yet you don't know his last name."

"Well, you don't know it either." Joey shot back.

"Oh I do."

Joey just glared at Kaiba for a few more minutes. Kaiba ignored this and approached the desk, handing a stack of paper to one of the other receptionists.

"I can vouch this boy Natalie, I know him."

Joey's glare deepened at Kaiba emphasis on the word 'boy'.

"Of course Mister Kaiba." The Lady – Natalie –, turned back to Joey she and said; "You'll find Atem on the 42nd Floor."

Joey muttered thanks before heading to one of the lifts. He caught a glimpse of the sneer that Kaiba gave before the lift doors closed behind him. The now grumpy Joey folded his arms as the lift moved. Even the music seemed to be mocking him with that happy little tune. Stupid Kaiba with his stupid hair, Joey grumbled to himself. That was not the best insult Joey could come up with but it was probably the politest. There as a small 'ping' as the lift stopped and the doors opened. Stepping out he found rows of desks, all with Kaiba Corp employees seated behind them. All of them were busy typing away, some go up to speak with other colleagues and some were busy on the phone. Joey walked along the outskirts, he was not too sure where Atem would be but he knew that Atem was Kaiba's second in command so he was just that the wooden door on the opposite side of the room belonged to Atem. On approaching it he confirmed that his was Atem's office as the door had a window which behind he could see Atem. He too was sitting behind his desk, but he was on the phone. Joey was reluctant to interrupt him but really didn't fancy standing awkwardly outside the door so he knocked. Atem looked up, still on the phone, upon seeing Joey he smiled and motioned to him to enter. He turned back to his computer screen as Joey entered.

"No, I told Alan that it needs to be brighter than that." Atem was saying, he was talking to a colleague on the phone, "It needs to stand out but not be to over powering."

There was a pause as the man replied and Atem searched for something on his computer.

"No, not that. There is a lighter one then that, try two eight seven." Another pause, "Brilliant, can you tell Alan that I will be down later to see his progress." One last pause, "Ok, bye."

Atem put down the phone, let out a sigh of relief and addressed Joey;

"Sorry about that. Designers.. they very keen on the minor details. What's up Joey?"

Before asking about Yugi, he had to know something;

"Does Kaiba know your last name?"

Atem was taken aback, "No, he doesn't. I don't have one."

Joey smirked, he knew it. Atem was still looking at Joey, slightly confused;

"Is that why you came here?

"No! No, I wanted to ask you something. I'm worried about Yugi. I just... I think there is something that is not right and he's not talking about it. I just wanted to know whether you know anything about it."

Atem sighed, "I'm afraid I don't Joey. I've been trying to find out for weeks now, I know that something is terribly wrong and I am a fearing the worse."

"You think someone is bullying him."

A nod, "But I have not been able to get solid evidence and I do not want to storm in with all guns blazing if I am wrong."

Atem got up and walked to the window, looking down at the main road leading up to Kaiba Corp. As eyes narrowed as he spotted something. Hurrying back to his computer he brought up the security cameras, looking at the picture which Camera One was showing he frowned. Camera One was located by the main entrance and through it he could see Yugi but there was some boys that he did not recognise talking to him.

"Joey, who is Yugi talking to?" Atem asked, motioning to Joey to look.

Walking round so he could see the screen Joey felt a rush of anger.

"That's Dean Harris. He's a right twat at school but I don't know why Yugi's talking to him as far as I know they don't know each other."

"Well, it seems like he does." Atem said, more to himself then Joey.

The two of them started at the screen before they saw Yugi walk closer to the camera, obviously entering Kaiba Corp.

"I'll talk to Yugi. Solomon is away for the week so it is just us so I'll try to get him to tell me but can you keep an eye on him at school and let me know anything odd." Atem said.

Joey had a feeling that if Yugi saw him, he would instantly become suspicious which would not help Atem's attempt to find out what was going on. Joey hurried to make it back to the lift, he had to take the long way as Yugi was heading towards the office, but somehow he managed it. The doors to the lift slid open and just as he entered Joey looked over at Yugi, who was entering Atem's office. Sighing, Joey stepped in the lift, the door sliding shut behind him.

Yugi greeted Atem half heartedly as he dumped his bag and flopped down into one of the chairs. Atem was filing things away into the filing cabinets.

"What should we get for dinner tonight?" Atem asked.

Yugi just shrugged, he did not make eye contact with Atem. He made no response when Atem continued to ask more questions. There was so much going round his head but the next thing that Atem said caught his attention.

"I have to pop down to see the designers before we go. Do you want to have a sneak preview of what we have been creating."

Yugi nodded, a little two enthusiastically. He heard a little about what was being planned but he would give anything to see it. He followed Atem back through the office and over to the lift. He felt slightly like a small child as he could feel how excited he was. Atem lead him to a large room. The room had two levels. They were currently on the upper level, around them was various computers, with people busy typing in front of the computers were large windows looking down into the lower level. Yugi gasped at what he saw. The Dark Magician. But he was real. Not like the hologram that he was accustomed to seeing. He was real! Atem looked at Yugi, he smiled and moved to the door that lead down to the lower levels. Moving over to the Dark Magician he eyed him up and down, he could not deny that he was in awe. The Magician was real, but at the same time he was not. He was still a hologram but reacted to the world around him and the owner and the opponent. Glancing up he saw Yugi, his gaze was locked on the magician that stood before him. Turning his attention to the Dark Magician he approached. The purple eyes of the magician focused on him, the staff swung in front him in a dangerous way. Unfazed Atem held out his hand, eyes fixed on the magician. The Magician studied the man before him before extending his own hand. The two shook hands. The magician's held felt very solid in the other's hand. It was incredible.

Back on the upper level Yugi gasped as he saw the two shake hands. It was amazing.

"This technology is revolutionary." One of the workers said, "Companies would pay millions for this."

Yugi glanced at the man before walking away. Finding a quiet corner he pulled out his phone and put it to his ear.

"What have you found brat?" A voice said, down the phone.

"A piece of technology." Yugi said, "It is worth millions."

A pause; "Good work brat." Dean said, "Right, you will help us obtain it. Tell no one. Do not tell your cousin if he finds out you know what I will do to him."

Tears filled Yugi's eyes. Yes, he knew what Dean would do.

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