Hey, guys! Sorry for the late update... just want to let you know that I'll be able to update once a week or maybe once every two weeks. It's getting really busy these days with all the celebrations we're having and I'm the Chairman! Woohoo!!!

And besides, 2nd quarterly exams are coming! O.O yikes!!! Email me if you want to get updated fully! )

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A Certain Secret

Chapter 9: A place where I can be…

Summary: Jou is angry with Yugi and the others. Why…? Let's just say a certain Pharaoh slipped a certain secret to a certain CEO. How will Jou be able to stand the rejection? Implied Shounen-ai.

By: Klyukaizer

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"Wh-wh-what?!" Jou trembled as Seto's face inched closer to the blonde. "S-Seto, what're you talking about?" Jou felt the brunette's hot breath tickling him down through the neck as he closed his eyes heavily. What the heck is Seto doing? Is he actually trying to seduce me???

And as if everything were fast enough, everything suddenly went bright as he covered his eyes from the blinding light. "S-Seto?" He called out.

"Surprise." The CEO said as Jou tried to focus his eyes on everything. He can't help but give out a sarcastic comment, "You bet I am." He snapped, "Are you going to tell me what's going on and what you're trying to do? I'm tired of asking the same question over and over again, you know!"

As he blinked back the static in his eyes, he felt 2 arms wrap around his tiny frame as he lifted his head to the person behind him. "Seto."

"Smile at the camera." The CEO whispered as they both looked to a direction in front of them. Seeing the camera on the camera stand, Jou can't help but blink for a few times. "You're starting to creep me out, Seto."

"Smile, Jou." Seto said and as if the brunette had the magic to click the camera, the camera instantly flashed. "Wait a minute! I still don't get what you're trying to do!" Jou whined, looking back to the CEO. And as he did, Seto's hand reached out to touch Jou's cheeks and caressing it softly.

"Our photo… I promised, didn't I?" Seto smiled, "That we would get once… just the 2 of us…" Jou flushed, suddenly remembering what the CEO had said before.

/Seto walked up to the blonde and took Jou's right hand softly, placing the photo on Jou's hand then slowly embraced his puppy from behind. "The first thing I want us to do together is to take a picture of just the both of us…" Seto smiled, nuzzling his head on Jou's hair./

"This is utterly sweet of you, Seto – really. But… I- I never expected this. I mean; I never really thought you were serious about it." Jou stuttered, facing the CEO. "But… arigatou, Seto." Jou smiled, "This means so much to me." And as they kissed, the camera flashed once again.

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Jou was silent the whole was as they drove through the mountaintops after dinner. Looking out the limousine window, Jou felt something unexplainable deep inside. But he can't help but smile about what just happened.

"Katsuya…"

"Umm… huh?" Jou snapped out of his trance as he looked at the CEO nervously. By the sound of his first name, he knew there was something serious going on.

"Katsuya," Seto repeated, giving Jou a worried look, "What's the matter? You look a little pale and you're sweating a lot… it's not even hot. Do you want us to go another time? I think you need to rest, puppy."

"Eh??? N-n-n-no! I mean; I'm not pale! And I-it is hot!" Jou stuttered, "I mean; I want you to show this place badly, Seto! We can't go back now!"

"Puppy, you're still not fully healed by the wound on your head. Are you sure about this?" Seto asked, doubting Jou's answer that that was for Seto's welfare only. "I don't want you getting hurt because of the place you wanted to show me."

"Pwwwwwease???" Jou whined, turning into a puppy with puppy paws, ears and a little wiggling tail. "Okay, okay. We're going! Heal, boy! Heal!" Seto chuckled.

"Arf! Arf!" Jou smiled happily as he drooled playfully and stuck out his tongue. Seto can't help but laugh at the sight, "Really, Jou. What's bothering you? You seemed…"

Jou blinked.

"…Nervous." Seto continued.

"It's… it's nothing, reall-"

"Don't lie to me, puppy." Seto snapped as he cut off the blonde. "Umm… I- I'm- I'm just… happy, I guess, that… you actually kept your word about it."

"About…?" Seto trailed, "…the photograph?"

Jou nodded slowly and looked at the other side, embarrassment present all over his face. Seto rolled his eyes. "Would I ever forget about my promises?" Seto smirked.

"I think I'll have to ask Mokuba for that…" Jou giggled, "But no, I don't think so."

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"Come on! Just close your eyes! No peaking, okay?" Jou smiled as he covered Seto's eyes with his palms. "How can I when your palms are on my eyes?" Seto smirked.

"You're going to love it here, this is what I call 'The Place'." Jou informed. "You ready?" He took his palms off of Seto's eyes. The moment the CEO opened his eyes; it felt like bulging as he the surveyed scenery.

"Beautiful." Was the first word the CEO had said, "I know… isn't it?" Jou smiled, leaning closer to the brunette and wrapping his arms around the CEO.

There they were, standing at the outskirts of Domino, enjoying the bright lights and cool breeze of the wind. The silence was melting, and the breeze was fresh. "This is the place where I usually come before…" Jou informed, starting a conversation.

"Before? You don't come here now more often?" Seto asked. Jou shook his head. "I used to come here after the daily beatings I get from oyajii, as well as during the weekends. I sometimes bring a duffel bag and camp here! Teehee!" Jou grinned widely.

"You're strange, pup." Seto sighed in amusement. "What! What's so strange about that?" Jou pouted. "I mean, you're so carefree. You never even thought of the things that might happen to you here all alone in the wilderness!" Seto said. Jou grinned again.

"Why'd you decide to stop coming, pup?" Seto had asked, Jou decided to continue, "Well, I did come here one time after the beatings ended… I sort of missed this place and how it used to feel when I was down and sad. Sometimes I come here to scream out all my anger or sometimes drain myself from the all the tears I've been holding back!" Jou said truthfully, "You should do the same, Seto. I mean; you can always come to "The Place" if you want to be alone, ne?"

"Hn." Seto snapped, closing his gap over his puppy. He placed a hand around Jou's waist and the other one on Jou's face, "I don't want to be alone…" He said as he placed a soft and tender kiss on Jou's lips. The moment they broke off from the contact, Jou can't help but flush out a small smile across his lips. "That can be arranged…" He smirked.

"Stay with me… forever." Seto said unexpectedly as Jou blushed even redder than before. What does he mean by that? Does he actually mean it in a psychological way? Jou thought. "Umm… I- I… I don't know what to say, Seto…" Jou mumbled.

"Please, say you'll stay…" Okay, Seto saying 'please'? He must be desperate. "I'll stay for you, master!" Jou playfully said, sticking out his tongue while playing with it like a dog. "But… I can't stay forever…" Jou said, making Seto's face saddened a little as the CEO heaved out a loud sigh.

"I'll stay… until the end…"

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"Sayonara…" Jou waved as he bid farewell to his lover. "Take care of yourself, okay? Go to bed tonight so you'll be in tip-top shape tomorrow!" Seto smirked, "Is the pup ordering his master around?"

"Is that a problem?" Jou raised an eyebrow as Seto made his way and wrapped his arms around Jou's waist. "Not at all, pup." He smiled, "Bye." Seto bid as he pecked a kiss on Jou's forehead and then to his lips.

With huge smiles on their faces, Jou made his way back to the apartment and Seto went back to his limo. Jou leaned on the back of the door as he gave out his hugest smile, "Is it just me? Or are things turning out great?" He grinned as he went upstairs to look for Mr. Jounouchi.

"Home." Seto ordered as they drove off towards Kaiba Mansion.

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"Oyajii?" Jou called as he knocked on the door softly, seeing his father sleeping on the bed peacefully with a book on top of his body. Jou can't help but sigh as he placed a blanket on top of the old man's body and took the book away. As Jou left for the room, he can't help but notice the book he was holding… the book his dad was reading…

"How to be a Good Parent"

Jou raised an eyebrow. "What does this mean?"

To be continued…