Disclaimer: Me, own? I've got $12.53 in my pocket...is that enough to buy the rights from Takahashi?

Author's Note: Much thanks to those who reviewed Chapter Two. I've heard many complaints (not that I'm bothered by it. I actually appreciate criticism), so I'm going to redo Chapter Two. Please be on the look-out for it in the upcoming week. With that said, get to reading!

Once again:

italics= thoughts

"Hey Kaiba!" Jou said, running up to the taller boy after the school day had ended. "I need to talk to you."

Scowling, Kaiba paused in his trek to his limousine. The last few weeks had been difficult at best—Jou had been kind and Kaiba had to force cordiality in return. Somehow, he felt like he was making Jou superior; he never bit his tongue for any of his business associates. He longed for those simple arguments, the exchanges of wit that the two had once shared. For an intellectual such as Kaiba, such harsh verbal contacts were akin to sexual foreplay. Their banter symbolized the rhythmic rocking of a slow set pace. He was sure that the passion in Jou's eyes would be the same if he fucked him senseless, and some part of his mind wanted to go through with it and prove his theory. To prevent himself from suddenly raping the blonde, he convinced himself that he'd much rather see those brown eyes focus sharply on him in the heat of battle than look glazed in the heat of passion.

Ah, how Kaiba let his mind digress. He found that if he ever gave his full attention to the shaggy blonde that he would find some insult that would inevitably lead to that damn pleasant grin. So he only gave Jou half of him, and this seemed to suffice; he was sure that Jou didn't notice if he was paying attention or not.

"Kaiba..." Jou paused. He'd worked hard over the last few weeks to get on Kaiba's good side, though Jou knew that he did little more than become a more constant nuisance. However, he still had to try.

"Um, I was wondering...Kaiba, will you go to dinner with me?" Jou rushed out.

The hazy fog that clouded Kaiba's mind whenever he spoke to Jou abruptly cleared, and blue eyes snapped to meet brown. "What?" he nearly demanded.

"Oh, my treat, of course!" the blonde added quickly. 'Now to figure out how I'm gonna pay for all this...' he thought. "Not that you don't have the money to pay for yourself but, you know, it's only proper that I pay, considering that I asked you out..." Jou stopped, sensing that he was blabbing. He could tell that Kaiba was becoming annoyed.

"Why would you ask me out?" Kaiba questioned skeptically. Inside his chest, his heart thumped in sheer anticipation of Jou's answer. Was Jou coming on to him? Is that what had led to the change of attitude? Could this be his chance to test his theory?

Jou, too, felt his heartbeat quicken. What was it about Kaiba that made him nervous, and why now? He'd always been able to fight with the CEO about meaningless matters, but now that they were both serious, he couldn't seem to find his words. Those blue eyes drove every coherent thought from his mind. All he could do was worry. 'What if he says "no"?' Jou pondered silently. This date was his only opportunity; he couldn't pass up on his one shot.

"I-I need to discuss something with you." He hated himself for stuttering, but he was too anxious. 'What if...what if...what if...'

Kaiba's reply was terse. "Sure, I'll go. What place at what time?"

The blonde was more stunned by Kaiba's acceptance of the invitation than his clipped and rude response. He had to hurry and recollect his thoughts. 'He said "yes"? I was sure he'd turn me down! Maybe I have gotten on his good side. Maybe he likes me now. After all, he hasn't taunted me in a few...'

"Hey!" came the loud cry that interrupted Jou's musings. "I said, 'What place at what time?'"

Instantly popping back into action, Jou replied, "Friday at seven good for you? I figure you'll be off of work by then. And the place is the Kampai Sushi Bar. Is that okay?"

Kaiba turned on his heel, once again making his way to his limousine. "It's fine," he said, sounding exasperated. "I'll see you then."

As the car pulled off, Jou let out a cry of joy. "Yeah! I asked Kaiba out on a date and he agreed!"

Suddenly he froze. He repeated his words quietly and his eyes widened in realization. 'Oh dear God!' he thought frantically. 'I asked Kaiba out on a date and he agreed! I hope he doesn't think I meant a lovey- dovey kinda date. I just need to soften him up and ask him for that job!'

Worriedly, Jou began to pace. "What if he thinks I like him? Oh sweet Mary, what if he likes me back? What the hell am I gonna do? What if..."

'I'm not crazy enough to take this dinner too far, am I? C'mon, I don't like the guy, so I won't do anything stupid, right? Right?'

Jou shivered. He felt the ominous presence of doom, as if this Friday were to be his execution date. In his mind, the feeling made no sense. He didn't like Kaiba, so he didn't have to agonize over their dinner date.

'If that were true, then you wouldn't be so concerned.' a voice told him. 'Something has changed over the last few weeks, but neither of you will admit it.'

He shook his head in disagreement. 'No! It's not like that. It's not...It can't be!'

"It's not, it's not..." Jou found himself repeating this phrase as if it was a mantra. Nothing had changed. They would always be enemies. Their roles would remain the same, and they would be comfortable and secure with the knowledge that they were meant to constantly challenge each other.

Thus he returned to reality. 'Enough with the questions and the random thoughts! Kaiba would never like me, and I don't like him. I'm sure he's smart enough to figure out that our "date" has no romantic meaning whatsoever.' He sighed. 'I need to stop getting so riled up about small matters.'

With his mind now clear and untroubled, Jou headed home. He was certain that Kaiba would keep avoiding him until Friday, if for no reason other than to keep up appearances. Besides, all of that worrying was cutting into his study time. His failing grades weren't going to raise themselves; he turned his mind away from Friday and onto Algebra.

Still, though he had forced himself to concentrate on his schoolwork, some part of him longed for Friday. The date, Kaiba, a quiet room to themselves; he was attracted to the idea, the situation that he had created for himself. Time couldn't pass quickly enough.

Author's Note (again): Yep, that's the end. Of this chapter anyway. Chapter Four is going to the betas, and Chapter Five died in my arms. Poor thing...oh well. It'll get posted sooner or later...Oh, and let's not forget to give a big thanks to my beta-readers!

Deepsenseremix (aka ThePopTartSpirits): Glad you're getting better. Thanks for that line change; the new version sounds much better.

SnarkyMonkey (aka Sora-sama): Thanks for the heads-up on the job offer. It will be corrected in the updated version of Chapter Two.

Darkmus: Thanks a lot dear for your commentary. I hadn't realized that the second chapter sounded...preachy. I made sure that I didn't make that mistake here. Help keep me on the straight and narrow, okay?