The building held a certain historical theme. Jounouchi would guess it was inspired by the Edo period from the looks of the things on display. There was a large clock watch that looked so authentic, it might've actually been the real thing. There were a lot of prints on the walls as well, also looking like they've been taken care of for a long, long time. It was like each decoration was actually an artifact from days long past.

Was this a place to eat or a musuem?

The tables aligned themselves near fountains that were spewing crystal clear water. A waitress saw them come inside, and she didn't even wait a second to escort them to their seat. Jounouchi stared at the place in wonder. He couldn't imagine what their average bill must've amounted to.

Because he was too busy surveying they area, he hadn't been looking where he was going. So it was no surprise when he bumped into a waiter. The man looked older than him, but was a lot more frail and weak. The poor guy landed on his ass while Jounouchi continued to stand. The blonde had to take a moment to recover from his shock. Jounouchi almost didn't realize that the man was trembling under his gaze. Jounouchi was worried that he was hurt.

"Are you-" but before he could finish his question, Kaiba was already towering over the man.

"What's going on here? Katsuya, what happened?"

Wow. Kaiba looked really angry. But why?

Jounouchi helped the man up to his feet. He noticed Kaiba glaring at the servant, which might be way the poor guy was still trembling.

"It was my fault, ni-san. I wasn't looking where I was going," he turned to the man, "sorry."

The man said nothing. He wore an expression that told Jounouchi that he would rather be anywhere else in the world right now. Kaiba's glare soften, but his blue eyes were still frosty.

Kaiba began to walk away, "Come along, Katsuya."

Jounouchi followed him to their seats. He felt weirded out by how strangely the brunette acted. What had that been about? Did Kaiba usually lose his cool over something like that? They just bumped into each other. So why did Kaiba react like the man had a stick of dynamite?

Oh well. Jounouchi would forget about it for now. Right now, he needed some grub.

They placed their orders, or rather, Kaiba ordered for all three of them. Jounouchi wasn't in the mood to argue. He was now back to looking at everything.

"You're acting funny again, ni-san. Why are you pretending that you haven't been here a million times already?"

Mokuba's question was just the thing to snap Jounouchi back to reality. The blonde realized that both Kaiba brothers were now looking at him in concern. Crap, he was making them worry again.

"Oh...I...uh...I was just thinking about something," he lied.

Kaiba crossed his hands together. He rested his chin on them.

"What were you thinking so hard about, Katsuya?"

"Nothing important."

"I begged to differ. Please share what was on your mind."

When Jounouchi realized that the CEO wasn't going to let this go, he scrambled for a purchase. He answered with the first thought that entered his head.

"I was thinking of my friends. Can I see them tomorrow, ni-san?"

Another frown came across Kaiba's lips. There seemed to be disappointment in those blue orbs, along with something else. Something that took Jounouchi a moment to pinpoint. Was it anger or was it...No. It couldn't possibly be jealousy. Kaiba jealous of Jounouchi's friends? Had Jounouchi's initial suspicion been true after all?

"Very well. But you know that Smith will be with you, right?"

Jounouchi nodded, "Right. But when I pass the exam, I won't need him anymore. Right?"

"Of course."

Their meal arrive so quickly that Jounouchi could've sworn it had already been made ahead of time. They all had their own thing of sushi, with a side of soup, some tea and water, steak strips in sauce, and vegetables. All the food was carefully place to be both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and delicious to smell. Jounouchi mouth watered at the sight. He took a bite, and realized that the sushi was more than just ordinary rice and fish. It was the best damn food he had ever eaten in his life.

Mokuba cracked up laughing after Jounouchi inhaled the first few bites. Kaiba slammed his napkin on the table while shooting a glare at the blonde.

"I need to speak to you. Alone."

Oh man. They just arrived and Jounouchi already got himself in trouble. Now Mokuba looked guilty for laughing. Jounouchi followed Kaiba to the bathroom. A servant was there in case some rich guy lost his way to the stalls. Kaiba instructed him to leave. The attendent bowed and then left.

Kaiba crossed his arms as he prepared to give his big brother speech.

"Can't there be one day where you act normally, Katsuya? You know better than to eat with such atrocious manners."

Jounouchi kept his eyes low, feeling like he wanted to sink into the floor. He suddenly lost his appetite. How did Kaiba have the ability to make him feel so bad?

Kaiba burst into a laughing fit. This confused the other teen. Hadn't Kaiba just been upset with him?

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm sorry," Kaiba chuckled, "It's just that you looked like a scolded puppy for a second there. It was funny! You make it hard to stay mad at you, Katsuya."

Jounouchi felt slightly relieved to learn he wasn't in trouble anymore. But once Kaiba's words registered in his skull, he shot the brunette a quick scowl.

"I'm not a dog."

"I'm sorry," Kaiba smiled. The apology caused Jounouchi to flush red. It was clear that Kaiba hadn't meant the comment as an insult. And seeing him so happy made Jounouchi's heart flutter, "No hard feelings, okay? Now can we both act like humans for the rest of the night?"

The blonde gulped. He needed to learn five star manners within the next thirty seconds, or Kaiba would get angry again.

"Uh, sure."

"Good."

Kaiba led him back to the table. This time Jounouchi waited until Mokuba began eating his meal before turning back to his own food. He paid close attention to how Mokuba held his chopsticks. Jounouchi did his best to emulate the small boy without him noticing.

His strategy seemed to work. Kaiba was no longer complaining about his table manners.

All of the sudden, a man ran to Kaiba's side. Jounouchi recognized him as one of the servants who worked in the mansion. The guy was acting like there was a fire.

"Sir. An important call-" but Jounouchi didn't hear the rest. Another strange sight took all of his attention.

Sitting across from them was the same woman from before. The woman who had showed him the scroll that made all this possible. She noticed Jounouchi's gaze, smiled at him, then went back to her soup.

Jounouchi threw his napkin down.

"What are you doing?" Mokuba whispered. Kaiba was too distracted by the servant to notice Jounouchi.

"I'll be right back, kiddo. I gotta do something real quick."

With that, the blonde got up from his chair. He practically sprinted over to her table. His eyes were wide. Was this all real? Was she just a figment of his imagination? She certainly looked solid right now.

The woman smiled again-that same soft smile as before.

"Greetings, sir. I trust you're doing well."

Jounouchi looked at her, not knowing what to say. She let him take his time. The woman who changed his entire life was eating soup like nothing was wrong.

"You're from that magic shop." That was all Jounouchi could think to say. Thank you, Captain Obvious. Now there was no way she was going to take him seriously.

The woman didn't stop eating, "That is correct."

Well, at least she was listening. Jounouchi swallowed thickly. He knew he needed to be careful with his words. He wasn't entirely sure that he could trust this woman one hundred percent. And considering her power, it wouldn't be good to irk her.

He took in a breath, "I don't know if you know this. But I'm from another reality."

"Oh?" she kept her gaze at her spoon.

"I met you there. You showed me a scroll."

"The wishing scroll," she stated with no emotion.

"You let me have one wish to prove it was real. Now I'm brothers with Seto Kaiba."

Finally, she looked up at him. Somewhere underneath her stoic expression traced a tiny hint of smugness.

"That's a wonderful wish. It comes with so many benefits. Money, the unconditional love of your rival, and no worries about your past father."

She seemed to know a lot about Jounouchi's other life. Too much actually. Jounounchi didn't bother to ask how she knew this. Something told him that she wouldn't answer the question even if he asked. Besides, there was another more important manner to discuss with her.

"I need to know. If I'm here now. Does that mean Katsuya Kaiba is now living my old life?"

"Hmm...No. You're Katsuya Kaiba."

Jounouchi blinked, "Yeah but...I meant the other me."

She studied him with enough intensity that he wanted to sink into the ground.

"There is no other you."

"Then what about the other universe?" Jounouchi felt his temper rising, "The one where I'm not Kaiba's brother?"

"What about it?" she shrugged.

God, could she just tell him what he needed to know, instead of going back-and-forth like this? Jounouchi clenched his teeth. He forced himself to calm down.

"What's going on there? Are my friends doing okay in the other reality?"

She sipped at her soup once more.

"That universe is no longer you're concern. Unless you want to go back."

Her words set Jounouchi's nerves on edge.

"Can I really do that?"

She gave him another look.

"For the right price, sir. A hundred million yen."

Jounouchi felt his heart stop. She smirked at his reaction.

"A...a hundred...million..." he couldn't even stammer the rest out.

She giggled softly, angering Jounouchi in the process.

He faced her with an angry fist raised in the air. It was his way of showing his frustration.

"That's insane."

"Surely something like unlimited wishes is worth the price," she explained.

"Yeah but..." Jounouchi stared at her in wonder, "If you own that thing, couldn't you just wish for the money yourself? Why are you even selling-"

"Katsuya," a voice admonished from behind him.

Holy crap! Where did he come from?

"Eh? Ni-san?!" caught red-handed, all Jounouchi could do was move away from the woman's table. Kaiba sent her an apologetic look.

"Was my brother bothering you? I'm sorry about that."

"Not at all," she said simply, then went back to her soup.

Kaiba turned his attention back to the blonde. He didn't look angry, necessarily. But he did seem a bit annoyed with him. Kaiba motioned for him to go back to the table. Jounouchi knew better than to disobey.

As he followed Kaiba back, Jounouchi snuck a glance behind him. The woman continued to give him the slightest of smirks. Jounouchi had a feeling that he would like her even less than Smith.

"So can you start talking now? We've been waiting for days," Anzu had her no-nonsense face on, clearly upset with Jounouchi for the late explanation.

She and Yugi sat at the same library that Jounouchi had been studying in. The blonde sat across from them, while Smith stood off to the side, patiently waiting for the teenagers to finish their conversation. Jounouchi felt awkward that the guy insisted being in the same room as him. He tried to get Smith to wait outside. After all, it wasn't like Jounouchi could escape while he was trapped in here. However, Smith seemed to take a sick pleasure in tormenting Jounouchi. It seemed like Smith was only staying because he knew Jounouchi didn't want him to.

Jounouchi's friends pretended not to notice the guard. Yugi's completed puzzle was now safely around his neck. He craddled it like a prized possession. Jounouchi wondered if he and Yami had communicated yet.

"Right. So, here's what I know."

He braced himself for the best way to explain himself.

"Okay. So there's this spirit in the puzzle. He's actually a pharaoh in a past life, and he's been trapped in there until Yugi solved it. Oh, he's also Yugi's dark side, so Yugi calls him Yami. Right, buddy?"

But Yugi seemed to have trouble digesting this story. Jounouchi, refusing to let himself be dettered, continued on anyway.

"Anyway. He's a spirit, but he can take over Yugi's body with the help of the puzzle. He'll do it whenever Yugi's in trouble. Then he kicks badguys' asses with shadow powers."

"So, you mean he protects me?" Yugi smiled at the thought.

"Yep. He's a friend. We can trust him," Jounouchi insisted.

But Anzu didn't look convinced. She glanced at the puzzle with the upmost suspicion, before turning her attention back on the blonde.

"I'm glad he's protecting Yugi. But something doesn't add up. You say he's Yugi's dark side. Do you mean he's evil or something?"

Jounouchi froze. He didn't realize Anzu would take his words in that context.

"What? No. He has dark magic and stuff like that. But he's not a bad person."

"But why does he want to help Yugi?" Anzu pressed.

"Because Yugi saved him from the puzzle. Why are you so suspicious?"

Anzu tensed up at that. Yugi and Jounouchi both frowned at her. She must've realized that she was digging herself a hole, because she quickly set out to explain herself.

"I'm sorry, Yugi. I'm just worried about all of this. I saw how the spirit acted around Ushio. He really liked tormenting him, a little too much, in my opinion."

Jounouchi's eyes narrowed.

"So what? Ushio had that coming to him. He deserved it."

"That's not the point," Anzu argued, "Think about it. If the spirit was able to hurt a bunch of bullies without remorse, what's stopping him from hurting us?"

"He's a friend!" Jounouchi yelled.

"We don't know that."

After Anzu's reply, a hushed silence overcame the three teenagers. Smith seemed to be interested in their conversation, even though he had no earthly idea what they were saying. Yugi fiddled with the puzzle in his hands.

"I think we can trust him, Anzu," Yugi finally stated.

Her blue eyes went wide.

"Are you sure?"

Yugi sent her a reassuring smile.

"Well, why don't we ask him ourselves. If he came out before, he can come out now," he looked at the puzzle, "Spirit, do you wanna come out?"

"Eh. I don't think it works that way, Yug," Jounouchi scratched his head, "You guys always just switch with your minds somehow. You don't ever ask each other to take over."

This time Anzu was aiming her suspicious look Jounouchi's way.

"How do you even know all this?"

Jounouchi was caught off guard. If he told them about the alternate reality, they might think he was crazy. Or, considering the fact that Yugi had a pharaoh around his neck, they might be willing to believe anything.

Should he chance it?

The two were still waiting for an answer. Jounouchi was too afraid to tell them. What if they had the same response as Kaiba did? He should wait until he knew for certain how they would take the news.

"Um...let's just say that I've...been around."

Anzu's suspicious look turned to a full on glare. She leaned her head closer, causing Jounouchi to snap his head back.

"Why are you being so discreet? Are you really our friend? Or can we even trust you?"

"Anzu, stop," Yugi said.

The girl gave a start, looking at the smaller teen with a confused and hurt look. Yugi took in a sharp breath.

"Katsuya helped us when Ushio was hurting me. I know we can trust him. I don't know why he won't tell us how he knows about the puzzle," Yugi looked at Jounouchi as he said this, "But it must be for a good reason. But there's more questions I want to ask you, Katsuya."

Jounouchi nodded for Yugi to continue. The tri-haired teen took in a deep breath.

"Okay. So, you know that he's a pharoah. Can you tell me his name? Also, how are we related to each other? You say he's my dark side, but what does that mean? If he's dark, does that mean I'm some sort of lighter half? Do we have the exact same soul, or do we have two seperate souls that are closely linked? How can I talk to him? Is he really okay with sharing a body with me? That's got to be hard. Does he like games like I do? Is there a way I can help him? I don't want him solving all my problems and me not doing anything for him. Should I-"

"-Woah woah, Yug! I can't remember all of those questions. So asked them one at a time, will ya?"

"Oh," Yugi blushed red, "Sorry."

Jounouchi thought back to the one question that stuck in his mind.

"It's funny you should ask about his name, though. There's a whole novel length story about that, bud. You see. He doesn't remember it. Since he's so disconnected from his past, he can't go back."

Yugi seemed to grip the puzzle a little bit tighter.

"Go back where?"

"To his own time period. There's a way we can get him back that involves some Ceremonial Duel or something. Anyway, he crosses the afterlife by using his name as a password or something. I don't know the entire details."

"Wait wait wait," Anzu held out her hand in a stopping motion. She gave him the most aggravated look that she can muster, "When did any of this happen? Is it something that's going to happen, or did it already happen? You're not making sense."

Jounouchi bit his bottom lip.

"Uh well-" but he was cut off by none other than Yugi.

"You're saying that once he knows his name, he'll be able to leave?" Yugi sounded heartbroken all over again.

Jounouchi tried to send him a reassuring smile.

"Um. Well it's more complicated than that."

He was about to explain when he was interrupted for a third time. But it wasn't by Anzu, Yugi, or even Smith. It was none other than the Millinium Puzzle. Smith nearly dropped to the floor in shock when he saw the small teen transform into a bigger version of himself. The guard's sunglasses fall from his face.

Then, quite suddenly, Smith ran out the door. Jounouchi didn't know whether to be more shocked about that or about the fact that Yami had decided to take over. All the blonde could do was sit in his seat with a dumbfounded expression.

Yami's eyes were still red, not purple, and his expression was darker than normal. He sent a glare that was chilling enough to freeze Jounouchi on the spot.

Anzu had hopped out of her chair in order to rush over to Jounouchi's side. It seemed she didn't want to be sitting next to someone she obviously didn't trust. Although there was fear in her eyes, she managed a glare of her own.

"What are you doing here? Where's Yugi?" she demanded the newcomer.

"My other self is safely sleeping in the puzzle," Yami stated as if he was talking about nothing more than the weather. He took her glare in stride, coolly crossing one leg over the other.

Jounouchi didn't like how Yami was looking at him. He half expected the symbol to appear on Yami's forehead, so that Yami could mindcrush him.

Jounouchi forced himself to calm down. Yami was a friend, he assured himself.

"Hey, buddy. Now that you're here. You mind telling Anzu how you would never hurt Yugi?"

"Of course," Yami crossed his arms, "Yugi is the other half of my soul. His pain multiplies mine by a thousand. I would never dream of touching a hair on his head."

"See, Anzu? Now, Yami. Can you tell her how you won't go hurting us either? Or any of Yugi's other friends?"

But this time his response was met with unnerving silence. Jounouchi blinked.

"Um? Yam?"

Jounouchi felt Anzu gripped at his shoulder, clearly nervous about the newcomer.

The spirit's lips spread into a sinister smile.

"I'm afraid I cannot guarentee the same protection for just anyone. Yugi is special to me. You two have yet to prove yourselves."

"Prove ourselves? Why do we need to prove ourselves just to make sure you don't hurt us?" Anzu asked angrily. Meanwhile Jounouchi had lost his voice. What was going on with Yami?

"I'm not so much worried about you as him," Yami looked at the blonde, "I don't know if I can trust you."

"What? But Yam. I thought we were friends," Jounouchi choked out.

"I hardly know you," Yami frowned.

The blonde didn't know what to say to that. Yami held up a finger.

"Give me one reason not to trust you, Katsuya Kaiba, and your mind will go to the shadows. I know your brother's true nature. How can I trust you're not the same way, knowing that you are of the same blood? If I suspect that you're out to hurt Yugi, I will dispose of you like the trash you are."

Jounouchi stared at him with wide eyes. With a smirk, Yami closed his eyes. He had said his piece.

"I will return Yugi to you two now. Take care of him."

The puzzle shined once more and Yugi blinked at them. He looked to have no idea what just happened. Anzu cautiously approached him with a hand over her heart.

"Are you okay, Yugi?"

Yugi looked at her, "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? And why are you and Katsuya-san looking so scared?"

The other two exchanged awkward glances. Kaiba suddenly threw opened the door. Smith was following him like a lap dog.

Kaiba was clearly angry, causing all three teens to stand from their seats. The CEO reserved his glare for Anzu and Yugi.

"I was told that you are playing tricks on my brother."

The guests, as well as Jounouchi, were shocked at the accusation.

Kaiba pointed an accussing finger at Yugi.

"I knew there was a reason my brother was getting confused. Admit it. You've been playing tricks with his mind, haven't you?"

"Ni-san! What are you talking about? Yugi didn't do anything wrong?"

Kaiba shot him a look. He turned to Smith and said something in English. The only word Jounouchi could pick up was 'room.'

Smith grabbed Jounouchi by the shoulder. He proceeded to drag the blonde a way, but Jounouchi wouldn't do without a fight.

"Hey! Let go of me."

"He's taking you to your room. I'll have a talk with your 'friends.'"

Had Kaiba lost his mind? What happened to treating the guests with manners? Kaiba used to at least pretend to be a decent host.

Smith had already got him out of the room. Jounouchi felt little more than a fish caught in a tiger's mouth. His struggling had about the same effect as that.

He yelled curses all the way to his room.

A knock on his door before Kaiba entered. He no longer had on his business coat, showing off his nice white dress shirt underneath. The suitcase was still in his hand, however.

"Katsuya. Are you finished pouting?"

Jounouchi said nothing. He kept his eyes glued to the television. He wasn't even paying attention to the show that was on. He didn't care. As long as he could pay attention to something other than Kaiba.

Kaiba had thrown Anzu and Yugi out like garbage. There had been countless times when Jounouchi was upset with him. But somehow, the Kaiba in this reality made him even angrier than the last one. So far Kaiba had ruined Honda's life, and now he was making it impossible to keep the friends he did make.

So yeah. He was angry with Kaiba. Actually. Angry didn't even begin to describe it.

He heard Kaiba shift behind him. Suddenly the brunette sat down on the floor right behind him.

"Still at it then? Fine. Maybe this tidbit of news will make you talk. I've decided to get you a doctor."

Jounouchi tore his eyes away from the screen.

"Doctor? I'm not sick. What do I need a doctor for?"

Kaiba was suddenly very close, his face just inches from Jounouchi's own. Jounouchi's mouth went dry. It looked like Kaiba was searching something in his eyes.

"You need someone to talk to."

Jounouchi felt a stab of anger once more. No amount of pleasurable arousal was going to appease him.

"You're getting me a shrink."

"I'm getting you help. I don't know what that Muto kid did to you. But I have a feeling that you need more help than I can provide myself."

"But I've been acting alright!" Jounouchi exclaimed, "I've kept my weirdness to a minimum. Why do you still think I'm crazy?"

"Katsuya, I've known for quite some time that you haven't been yourself," Kaiba closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened them again, "Something will set you off and make you spout off nonsense. Like when we were having dinner with those two losers, you talked about a ghost playing card games. Or when we were arguing the other day, you brought up alternate realities. You even said we weren't brothers. Did you expect me to just forget you said all that?"

Jounouchi realized that the brunette was serious about this. His anger turned into stone cold fear. He didn't want to see a shrink. He didn't want to be forced to tell some stranger all of his secrets, and then have the guy prescribe him drugs that Jounouchi couldn't pronounce, let alone understand.

It was scary to think about.

"Please ni-san. I'm not crazy. What can I do to make you believe that?"

Kaiba sent him a reassuring smile. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Jounouchi's torso and pulled him in an embrace. Jounouchi gasped in shock.

Kaiba craddled him like he was Mokuba's age. This was clearly a brotherly hug. And yet Jounouchi couldn't help but hope there was more to it than that.

Of course, there wasn't. Not as long as Kaiba saw him as a little brother to take care of.

"I'm just worried about you is all. Can't you do this? For me?"

Despite his earlier anger, Jounouchi felt himself warming into Kaiba's arms. It seemed that Kaiba had found just the strategy to turn him putty into his hands.

"Okay."

Jounouchi would hate himself later. Right now, he would allow himself to be hugged by the man he had always adored. The same man who hated him in the other universe.

cuddlekinz0 : Here you go! Some brotherly fluff for you. Got ya covered, fam. Although Jou still has to deal with an overprotective Kaiba. Life's a pain sometimes. Thank you for your review.

Celestialock : I admit. The chapters have been getting harder to write. So I might not upload quite as frequently. Sorry about that. I just want to make sure I keep good quality for the chapters. Thank you for your review.

Gurkenlimo: Yeah. I intend it to be yet another obstacle in the pairing's way. If they're brothers, they shouldn't be a couple, right? So, it will make Jou want to go back to his own reality even more. But more obstacles are going to come his way. Thank you for the review.