Man, I love chapters like these... Because something always happens next, you know? Yeah... Thanks for the reviews, I enjoy reading your thoughts and opinions on my story/ies. This is one of my longest stories - even at chapter 10, I still haven't put down several other difficulties yet... -sweatdrop-. But I always find it better to let things come together, what's meant to happen will - so no rush-jobs. Right? I personally, don't mind Jou seme or uke as long as its done right. I tend to cringe when I hear stuff like well, you've all just about mentioned some of the things you find now. Lol, that's why I write Seto/Ryou, for the fluffiness of it all. Though to be honest, my Ryou/Seto stuff is usually quite.. ? This is NOT that, so let's just get on with the chapter! I don't own Yugioh. So, Enjoy!

A Heart-Scathed Recovery

Chapter 10:

To Pretend…

Kaiba drove in no direction in particular. He just kept going, lost in thought. 'Why does it hurt?' His glare hardened out over the windshield. Despite his best efforts to just ignore what his eyes had seen and the words Bakura all too giddily shared with him… He couldn't deny how badly he wanted to know. The questions pulled and gnawed achingly so. 'But he's not like that.' Kaiba told himself for the fiftieth time. In vain once more. 'You were so certain he was straight before. How do you know what he's really like? You've barely had one date.' For every hopeful thought, there was an even more valid negative.

He sighed as he turned a familiar corner, even without realizing so, he'd been heading home the whole time. Just as well, at least some part of him was still functioning properly. 'Who is that guy?' Kaiba clenched the steering wheel tight between his fingers. 'What were they doing there together?' He was angry but… It hurt. So much, he couldn't keep up a seething demeanor. After a few minutes longer he sighed as the knowing sight of tall manors made themselves visible all around him. He was almost there. 'I sound like an insecure idiot. We aren't close and he said so himself, we should take it slow.' Of course. Who was to say that he didn't have someone else? 'We aren't exactly exclusive, are we?' There'd be no reason to share that kind of information with him. The blond probably had other prospective candidates for the role of boyfriend.

Kaiba paused before his mansion gates and spoke into the intercom, the iron opened for him instantly. He drove up the driveway and turned into the car hold to the right. The brunet sat there, parked with the engine off. His hands crossed along the top of the steering wheel and he leaned his head against it. "And here I was thinking…" The brunet shook his head, 'That maybe I was…' and he did not finish the somber thoughts. He forced himself off any more Jounouchi-related topics and trudged up the stairs.

"Master Kaiba, sir." His main butler Rozin called up the stairs. Though he felt mentally and physically exhausted, he knew it'd be hell trying to get some sleep, he was in no mood to be up dealing with his timid employees either. He stopped mid-stride and gave his brunet a dark glare, alerting the other that his attention was given but it'd better be quick - and important. "Uh, some individual has been calling and asking for you while you've been out."

Kaiba turned back around with a pensive scowl, "Did this person leave a name?"

"No sir. He just wanted to speak with you, personally and didn't divulge in his reasons for calling. I'm afraid." He muttered in shame.

The brunet sighed in tired frustration. "Then the point in telling me of a missed call was..?" He ground out as he tried in earnest not to snap and fire his butler of so many years. It seemed in the man's old age, he was becoming more and more incompetent. He didn't wait for a feeble apology from the other and continued his walk up the stairs.

Jounouchi groaned and fumbled around for the intruding phone. Finally grasping a firm hold on it, he flipped it open and put it to his ear, "Mn-ello?" He mumbled, face still half-buried in the pillow. He lazily pulled the blanket over himself. There was a second of silence on the other end before…

"JOUNOUCHI! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!" A loud, twice as irritating voice boomed against his already pounding head.

The blond sat up and hissed in pain as his hangover made itself painfully aware. With a groan he quickly shoved the phone back to his ear after dropping it out of shock from the sudden screaming. "Wh-what the fuck's your problem Varon?" He shouted back, only wincing more. With his left hand, he rubbed his forehead as if it would help any. 'Dammit! I can barely think!' He grumbled mentally.

The other laughed amused at his friend's plight. "Uh huh, that's what happens when you drink so much. Jounouchi." He scolded lightly in a tsk, tsk fashion..

The blond pouted and scratched the back of his messy and tangled hair. With a yawn he sat up and made his way out of his bedroom. "Nngh. You drank as much as I did." He whined, a bit envious how the other seemed so chipper and unaffected by the after effects of consuming too much alcohol. He'd never seen the other complain or wallow over a hangover before.

"But you're such a baby about things. I know my limits." He paused to sigh in an over exaggerated scolding, "In any case, I take it you're still at home." Varon presumed by the grogginess. And it was a given, after a night out, he was never seen before noon.

"Well yeah, obviously." He entered the kitchen and started up a pot of coffee. He hated the stuff but it would help wake him up and soothe his migraine. 'Where are those hangover pills?' "What time is it anyway?" The blond asked offhandedly, subconsciously thinking on how they needed a clock in the kitchen. The pot started ticking softly as it heated up.

"Hn. It's about two hours passed when you were supposed to have your drunken ass down here!" His friend shouted curtly. Jounouchi's eyes widened and he ran back towards his room. "Honestly, dude, I've been calling you all fuckin' day. I'm surprised your phone hasn't died from all the missed calls and texts." He chided in disappointment.

"Damn." The blond muttered in disbelief. "It's one 'o' clock!" He was astonished. "I'm sorry Varon." He quickly added as he rubbed his tired eyes and headed towards the bathroom adjacent his room, "I'mma take a shower right now and--"

"Forget it, man. I already got someone to cover your shift, since you aren't feeling well. I just called to give a good idea on where to take your new beau on your second date." He changed the subject in a sudden eccentric tone. Like said, he knew there was no way his friend would be awake and ready for work anyway.

"What?" He asked, slipping out of his jeans that apparently he'd been too tired to take off last night.

He heard a tired and annoyed sigh on the other end. "You wanted me to think of a good place for your second date, remember?"

Jounouchi turned the shower knob on and grinned brightly. 'Oh yeah… I did ask him to find some place…' Yeah." He felt the water with his free hand.

"Good. At least your brain seems to be stirring somewhat now." His friend exhaled once more. 'Drama Queen.' Jounouchi mused to himself. "They're still testing everything out but it'll be open tomorrow morning. So you should get there about five or so. It'll be a great place for you and your beau." He explained enthusiastically.

"Really? Awesome, where?" He asked just as excitedly. Jounouchi listened intently and his grin only brightened more so as the other told him and gave some tips on how to enjoy his time with the gorgeous brunet. 'I'm gonna have him all over me! I'll call him as soon as I get out of this shower!' Jounouchi hung up with his awesome best friend and hopped into the steamy hot water, eyes alit with excitement and spurred emotions.

Kaiba tapped lazily on the keys, this would be his last report for the day. Unfortunately there wasn't much to do on Saturdays after all. It was a little after one and there was nothing else left for him to do. The morning was spent rifling through the small box full of the key cards and papers containing the passwords and security codes for his company that he must've been so out of it and blurted it to the crafty Bakura. He was in a foul mood already, every servant in the mansion was wisely staying far away from his office that he'd barricaded himself in all day since waking.

'I still can't believe I was duped by some amateur trick…' Kaiba frowned and rubbed his eyes grumpily. He was out of things to do and unfortunately, it meant his mind was running rampant with the thoughts he'd been avoiding all morning. 'I really am a damn mess. Aren't I?' He mentally chided. His hands interlocked as he leant his elbows on his desk as he continued to mull, in his self-delivered despair. "I feel like…" He shook his head. 'This is stupid. I can't…' Kaiba sighed in defeat. Even to himself, it felt utterly pointless in confiding his true feelings. He felt the reminiscence of that old hostility he used to carry around like a second skin so many wary years ago.

If there was anything he learned from Yugi and the rest of his rag-tag group of cheerleaders, it was that emotions and even friendship, were invaluable assets and created an unprecedented strength… - For some. Not everyone needed such crutches and baggage. He sighed. "I really shouldn't call them that, now should I?" He smirked bitterly. "… You'd probably berate me for referring to them in that way. Wouldn't you, Jounouchi?" He whispered lugubriously.

And once again, his thoughts got the better of him. Damn his brain for not being wired to delay the inevitable… 'And to think, in those days, I would never have given relationships a second thought. Tch. Not even a glance.' He leaned forward, unlocking his fingers and settled to resting his chin in his left hand in a lackadaisical manner. 'It's their fault. Sputtering all that nonsensical crap. And seeing the events of the past haven't helped me either. Look at where I am because I let people in… I've lost just about everyone close to me.' His right hand tapped in a bored rhythm along his desk. His dreary blue eyes glared dully at the abandoned monitor. "And the only person I felt myself…" he struggled slightly, "… Getting close to again." He growled low in his throat. It was hard trying to reconnect with other people again, I mean, it wasn't like he had found Ein to begin with. The hot American college student had spotted and approached him… And it was Bakura that flirted and seduced him. 'Even the mutt flung himself in front of my car like a fool.' "But," He growled angrily. "I don't even know what is going on."

His grim expression softened some, "I started to feel better about myself after reuniting with Jounouchi…" Kaiba groaned in frustration. He had to talk to the suspicious puppy, didn't he? At least to settle his own nerves and to understand, 'Why the Hell he was with someone else.' His brow twitched at his shameful insecurity. Kaiba shut off his computer, he wasn't about to get anything more accomplished with thoughts like these raging and the blaring bright screen was getting to him. A few seconds of complete silence fell uninterrupted until the brunet's phone rang with a profound shrill. Kaiba picked up the blinking object from its place on his desk and answered unenthusiastically, "Kaiba."

"Hey. What's up… babe?" A sultry voice murmured huskily over the phone all too casually.

Kaiba eyed the electronic device peculiarly. He supposed it was the blond's way of trying to sound sexy. The brunet half-smiled and brought it back to his ear. "Not much. Just some last minute reports." He replied indifferently. His heart hammered hurtfully though. 'Why is he calling now?' Kaiba wasn't done mulling over his dilemma after all.

"Mn. Somehow it doesn't surprise me to hear you've been workin' on a Saturday." The blond replied a bit dissatisfied with the answer. "Any other billionaire would be lookin' up ways to spend their billions away, like it grows in their backyards an' stuff. But no, you gotta be Mr. Workaholic."

Kaiba relaxed a little. Things seemed so normal to him. The blond's voice, the light-hearted conversational reprimanding… "Did you call just to get on my case about it?" He replied tiredly.

"I'm just sayin', life isn't all work and no play… Ya wastin' your youth, Moneybags… That's all." The blond's voice was so laid-back, even as he continued to scold his gorgeous CEO.

Kaiba shut his mental eye and allowed a very faint smile to flicker across his lips. Despite wanting to unload all of his questions and demand an appropriate answer, he relented and kept them to himself, defeated. He couldn't explain why, but engaging in a dialogue with the other was just so much more… Desirable. "What about you, then?" He questioned lightly.

"Heh, well, I just got up a few minutes ago, to be honest." He admitted sheepishly. Even over the phone, Kaiba knew the blond was either scratching his cheek or rubbing the back of his head. "I just got outta the shower." He added.

"Really? So while I've been working, you've been wasting the day snoozing?" He rebuked casually. "There's a major problem with that picture, don't you think?" The brunet asked softly. The questions that plagued him made themselves scarce the longer he took part in the back and forth between him and his alluring Mutt. It was easy, like this. He couldn't explain it but that voice was…

"Well, if you'd like to come down here, right now, I'll gladly 'work' to relieve you of your probably over-taxed body." He suggested sensually. 'Wh-what?' "Hey, yeah, why don't you come over?" He tried not to sound too eager for a response.

Kaiba bit his lip nervously. This was a very tempting idea but… 'If I were to face him… Could I really act so casual? I- When I think of how happy and carefree he was that night with someone else…?' It was easy over the phone, but in the flesh? The brunet gripped the phone firmly. "Right this minute?" He asked trying to stall for an answer.

Jounouchi groaned impatiently. "No, a week from now." He retorted sarcastically. "Of course, right now!" He whined huffily. "Come over." He demanded. A few moments of silence passed, Kaiba was mulling over his own uncertainties… Jounouchi sighed heavily. "Hey, are you still there?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes. "I'm thinking."

"Yeah. I know. You think too much." The blond diagnosed quite frustrated. "Just listen to me and you won't be sorry." Kaiba wondered whether the other had batted or blinked an eye his way while saying that. "I'm over here all by my lonesome. Just sitting here and drinkin' some coffee. Come over and we can discuss our second date." He further egged on.

The brunet smirked a near smile and let his eyes flutter closed. '…Our second date?' "Alright. I'll be over. Give me about forty minutes or so to get dressed." He gave in. Why did he find himself doing that lately?

There was a sound of victory over the phone. "Awesome. I'll whip us up something good to eat too. See you in a bit, babe." He purred and hung up with a resounding click. Kaiba always got carried away in the other's eccentrics.

"See you." he replied and flipped his cell closed. Kaiba put the thing back at its place on his desk and spared a few seconds to contemplate on the decision made. 'I will have to face him now, I already said I'd meet him. And I'm not about to call with my tail between my legs and change my mind… I'll just… I'll be forward and inquire what he was doing there at the bar. If it wasn't anything, which I'm sure it wasn't, he'll have no problems answering me.' Kaiba nodded. Of course. Though he usually went with logical reasoning, he was willing to give the blond the benefit of the doubt. After everything they both had experienced throughout their sordid past, it was the least he could do. And if he was blissfully proven right, things would be smooth and pleasant between. He'd come to realize a long time ago that you couldn't always believe what it is you see and there was usually more to the story.

With more confidence in his decision, the brunet headed upstairs to sort through his closet full of never-good-enough clothing to find something casual yet nice. He felt like he had to look his best when meeting his blond-haired crush. It took about thirty minutes before Kaiba chose a suitable ensemble, consisting of a loose blue-green button up and dark blue jeans. He mused. There was something missing, so before stepping out of his closet, the brunet reached towards the back and found an old blue trench coat he hadn't worn in ages. He smirked as he slid it on over his clothes and reminisced briefly on the past that tagged itself along with this particular apparel. With a shake of his head, Kaiba walked out and made his way down the staircase.

"Master Kaiba, sir?" One of his bravest maids cautiously called in a hesitant mannerism.

Halfway down the stairs, he turned to find her following slowly behind him. "What is it?" He asked, retaining his trademark coldness.

"Sir, there's a phone call for you on line 1." She answered and bowed slightly as he waved her off. Kaiba continued his descent and picked up the receiver on the small stand beside the railing.

Dialing the appropriate line, "This is Kaiba, whom may I ask is calling?" His voice started coolly. It was quiet. Silence other than the very faint sounds of breathing on the other end, before a loud fumbling and the brunet was left with a dial tone. Whoever it was, had hung up without a word. Kaiba frowned with a sigh and shook his head. "Whatever." He checked his watch and sighed as he headed toward his garage. He was behind. Finding clothes to wear sure wasted a lot of time.

The drive wasn't nearly as bad as this. He hesitated briefly and knocked against the pure white door. 'Why am I acting this way?' Where had his confidence gone? Before he had a chance to dwell further, the door handle turned and he was greeted by the large grin owned by his beautiful blond. "There you are! I was beginning to wonder whether or not you were one of those people that can't be on time for anything." He admonished. "This is the second time you've been 'late'." He continued further.

Kaiba sighed lightly. "Hn." The brunet stood to his full height and folded his arms across his chest. "I am a very busy person. It takes me a little longer to manage free time, Mutt." It was easy to keep up his defenses, at least when the other was reprimanding him. The two stared at one another a moment longer before the blond fluttered his eyes closed and stepped back.

"Well, you aren't allowed to work in here." He motioned the other inside. "… Unless you wanna work on me." he winked coyly at his follower as he entered.

The brunet smirked. "Sure. Why not? What shall we try first? Should I work on teaching you how to sit or play dead?" He expected a shout and / or violent repercussion.

Jounouchi shared a sharp grin and pulled the other close to him. "Funny." He murmured in a low whisper. His eyes glinted excitedly. "But when you're around, I'm anything but 'dead'." He purred and crashed their lips together. Kaiba moaned in surprise and the kiss continued. Jounouchi gripped the fabrics between his fingers and brought their bodies even closer together. His arms finally couldn't take it anymore and slid themselves around his adoration's neck.

Kaiba shuddered momentarily and wrapped his own hands around the other's waist. As the hold tightened though, a terrible image flashed in photo-finish detail across his mental eye. 'Jounouchi's arms… Around that guy's neck… Jounouchi… Who is that?' Kaiba pushed the other away and panted heavily. The blond groaned in a pout and stepped towards the other but the brunet kept a hand up to keep distance. 'He held him… The same way…' Kaiba collected his breath and ran a shaky hand through his hair.

"Why did you stop?" The blond questioned, a tinge of offense in his shallow breath. The two were quiet for a minute or so. The atmosphere felt strange.

Kaiba realized he didn't like it. The tension emanating, the hurt in the other's voice. Why had he stopped? Because he saw his Mutt holding some other in the same way? 'It's a common affection. He seemed pretty close to him, whose to say it is the same? Maybe I'm the one that's being…' The brunet stood up straight and faced his suspicious blond with an indifferent seemingly blank stare.

Jounouchi matched those blue eyes with a deep gaze of confusion. 'What's wrong? Is he okay?' The blond couldn't think of any reason he'd shove him away like that and furthermore bar him from approaching. He wished his observational skills were good enough to pierce through that flawless wall. "Kaiba?" He asked worriedly. He didn't care if the other saw his concern, the blond was one to wear his emotions on his sleeve anyway.

Many things went through Kaiba's mind in the ticking silence. Emotions were once a burden to him. Now they ached at his soul and perplexed him with embarrassing ferocity. 'Even if it turns out that I'm nothing but a dime in a dozen…' Kaiba outwardly smirked. Jounouchi's face scrunched up even further in apprehension. Blue eyes softened slightly, "If you do stuff like that, Jounouchi," He sauntered over to the other and caressed his cheek softly, "I can't be liable for what I do to you." He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the befuddled lips of his blond.

They pulled away slowly. Jounouchi studied his new expression but couldn't find anything to hint what was wrong. He seemed back to his alluring self and yet, 'Why do I feel like there's something else? Somethin' he's not telling me?' The blond sighed unsure, "Are you okay?"

Kaiba cupped his chin and nodded. "Of course. I'm fine. But you wanted to take it slow, didn't you?" He questioned and let go his hold on the blond. 'I can pretend...'

"Well, yeah…" Jounouchi scratched the back of his head.

The brunet began down the front hallway with a faint, forced smile though his back was turned from the other, whom was still standing there lost in uncertainty. "Something smells good." He changed the subject. 'It never happened.'

Jounouchi snapped out of his daze and caught up with the peculiar other, "Well, thank you. It's Tempura and Miso Soup… Or maybe you're talkin' about the grilled Sea Bass I've prepared." Kaiba gave the blond an eye's flutter of a glance before taking the role of follower, since he didn't know his way around the other's house. Though, it was pretty simple - it was small but cozy and open. Once beyond the small hallway, you could see the living area, which was connected to the dining area to the right. And just a few feet away, the kitchen resided… It was simple. 'Like the Mutt I used to know.' "So, have a seat." The blond commanded eagerly.

Kaiba sat with his back turned towards another hallway, he supposed down it were the bedrooms and such. His eyes scanned the open kitchen and eyed the remnants of what made their meal possible, pots and pans and such were thrown haphazardly into the sink. He mused. His eyes scanned behind his companion, to the living area. But the gorgeous aromas from the food on the table down in front of him stole his attention and he relished at the beautifully arranged lunch. He had to admit it, "This is impressive, Mutt. You did all of this?" He didn't mean to sound so disbelieving but it really was shocking.

Jounouchi rolled his eyes. "Of course I did. When Shizuka moved in wit' me, she showed me how to cook… I actually enjoyed it and learned how to cook other stuff. I can cook more impressive things then this but I wanted something quick and since I had already started on cookin' this for myself, I figured it'd be good to share it wit' someone." He explained with the faintest of blushes on his cheeks.

Kaiba nodded in appreciation. "Well, thank you, Jounouchi. It looks delicious." He replied and smiled sincerely. Jounouchi picked up his chopsticks and shared the grin. It was quiet as they began eating their lunch. The blond eased up on his anxieties since the brunet seemed close to his normal self. But the CEO of Kaiba Corporation was a master of false expression.

'I wanted to bring it up. There are many things I wanted to bring up but… Even though I'm sure it's nothing, there's always the chance that something is going on. What if I am just 'another one' to him? I don't think I could take hearing that from Jounouchi. And I, I don't want to hear or see him with that hurt look on his face. It's not him - to be weak and wounded. Besides, if it's nothing, there's no reason to question him about it.' Those thoughts were what finalized the decision to remain silent. He realized there was no point in bringing up something with potentially dangerous outcomes so he decided to just pretend he hadn't been there that night. He hadn't seen anything. He could do that. It wasn't hard to fake naivety. Whatever happened would, even if he looked like a fool in the end. 'I've been a fool for so many, what would one more time hurt?' Right?

"Mm. That was better than the last time I made it." Jounouchi gushed as he stood and picked up Kaiba's and his own plates. "What did you think?" He asked cheerily, noted that the brunet's plate and bowl were just about scraped clean.

"It was as delicious as it looked. No. If possible it was better than that." He answered truthfully. 'He seems so proud of himself for it… I guess I understand - I'd never have expected such a talent from him. To have learned to cook so well, when he was the type that refused. So to willingly be taught something new and actually excel? I feel somewhat excited over it.' Kaiba mentally smirked. The blond's eccentrics were obviously rubbing off on him.

The blond's back was to him but he could tell his comment had further boosted the Mutt's jubilant mood. "Well, uh, thanks for the compliment." He pulled the pitcher of tea he had set on the counter and brought it back to the table. "I'm really happy you liked it so much." He whispered in a momentary shyness. His eyes rested gently on the brunet as he smiled. "It means a lot to-"

There was a loud slam and both males turned towards the noise. Jounouchi was up and approaching the front hallway when a blur of blue and auburn rushed passed them both. There was the sudden slam of another door down the second hallway behind Kaiba and then silence. The brunet stood and sighed softly. Jounouchi turned towards him with a serious expression. "You should probably talk to her."

"Y-yeah." The blond agreed. As it had obviously been Shizuka and she was rather upset.

"I'll see you later then, Jounouchi." Kaiba started as he stood. This was a family matter and it'd be rude to intrude upon such a moment wouldn't it?

The blond placed a firm hand on the brunet's arm. "No, don't leave." Kaiba eyed him questionably. Jounouchi released his grip and groaned softly. "I- We haven't talked about… Just don't leave, please. Let me figure out what's wrong with Shizuka and I'll be right back. Don't leave, please." The blond wasn't one to beg but they hadn't even discussed where they would go on their second date. 'It was probably that damn Bastard, again.' He growled mentally to himself. "Kaiba. Stay." He demanded quietly.

They stared at one another intensely. But the usually indestructable CEO conceded soundly with an exasperate sigh. "Alright. I'll stay, Jounouchi.

The other nodded in appreciation. "Thanks." Though his frown was still in place, Kaiba could see his relief through those open brown eyes. "Promise I won't be long." The CEO 'hn'ed in response and watched his Mutt rush to the girl's bedroom.

A few minutes passed by, with Kaiba sitting in his seat at the table. His hand drummed along the wood of it as he took his chance to better survey the quaint place. It felt, warm. Quiet, even though its inhabitants were everything but so. He hadn't noticed before, the many frames on the wall, some candid, some professional. This led him to stand and wander into the living area. There was a small mahogany coffee table in the middle with a loveseat on the left and sofa across, both shades lighter. A fireplace, which hadn't been used or cleaned in a while, large windows were covered by light blue curtains with darker designs of blue and purple flowers. It was really a nice home. 'It feels safe and...' Kaiba couldn't get over how 'warm' it felt. 'The only reason the manor ever felt like this was when Mokuba lived there...' He frowned as the familiar void filled him. He shouldn' be so depressed, he knew... But still. Without his brother around, there was little reason to BE home. His eyes found more photos on the walls and on the mantle above the fireplace. There were small tables on either side of sofa. Kaiba scanned across and landed on a 5x7 frame at the end table by a lamp to the right of the loveseat. As he leaned over and picked it up, he grimaced and stared in disbelief and utter perplexion.