Rowan: It's been forever since I updated, so please forgive me! Also, this chapter is painfully short, gomen ne for that! Well, won't detain you further!

Disclaimer: Yeah, you know already.

Notes: Thanks for all the reviews! Will reply eventually! Also, be warned: I typed half of this chapter with a stomach virus, with a practically empty tummy. So if it's not as good as some of my other chapters, that's why.

Life's Little Treasures

Labs on Loan

---

Shihara paced the porch anxiously, cellphone to her ear. 'C'mon Mai, pick up already!' Just as she thought that, the ringing stopped and a voice said, "Moshi moshi, Kujaku Mai speaking!"

"Mai! It's me, Shihara! I'm calling about Mission: Emotions-"

"Mission status?" Mai interrupted.

"Mission status: failure. My course of action is abort."

"Nani! Why?" Mai asked, agitation in her voice.

"There's no way Seto will tell me his feelings; he doesn't even know what they are!"

Mai sighed. "All right. Alert mission commander of these developments and tell him that we are going to Mission: Emotions 2, Project Green Eyes."

"And escape plan?"

"Ano...escape plan C, I think. Oyasumi(sp?)!"

"Over and out!" Shihara hung up.

~*~&~*~

"Honey! Jono! Fetch!" Jou said, throwing a stick for the two golden retrievers to catch. There was two blurs of gold as the dogs eagerly tried to get the stick before the other. Jou laughed at the dogs antics; they really were like two puppies.

"Having fun?" a voice asked from behind the blonde.

Jou turned around and smiled at Seto. " Yeah, I am! These dogs are so funny!"

"You like dogs?"

Jou nodded. "Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted a puppy. Of course, Dad would never have gotten me one…" Jou trailed off.

"Why not?" Seto inquired, placing a questioning hand on Jou's arm.

"Oh, because dogs are so much trouble!" Jou replied with a goofy grin. "So what about you? Did you ever have any pets?"

Seto shook his head. "I was always too busy to take care of one. Though I did consider it once, when Mokuba was ten. But of course, so much happened then that I never really had time."

Jou nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. So much happened then. First Duelist Kingdom, then Battle City, then that virtual reality thing…I can see how something like getting a pet could slip one's mind!"

"Hey guys! What are you doing out here? It's freezing!" Anzu yelled from the patio.

Seto looked at Jou, cheeks pink from cold. "She's right. Let's get inside and have some cocoa to warm us up!"

Jou nodded. "Yeah, it is cold! And who knows? It may be cold enough for snow! We may have a white Christmas this year!" Jou clapped his hands, calling Honey and Jono to him. The two bundles of excitement disguised in identical gold coats came bounding over, a stick twice the size of the one Jou threw in both their mouths.

Jou and Seto shook their heads in amusement as they all went back inside.

~*~&~*~

"Ryou, may I talk to you for a moment?" Shihara poked her head inside Mokuba's room, where he, Yami, and Ryou were sitting on the floor wrapping presents.

Ryou looked up and smiled at the raven-haired beauty. Placing his half wrapped gift on the carpet, he stood up and replied with a short, "Sure," before exiting the room.

Yami looked over at the thirteen year old Kaiba. "So, Mokuba, how have things been? Exactly how long has Jou been in lo- I mean, living with you and your brother?"

Mokuba, if he caught Yami's change in his question, did not show it and said, "Since Thanksgiving. About a month, I guess."

Yami nodded. "Kaiba hasn't treated Jou poorly, has he? Tell me the truth, please."

Mokuba smiled. "Why ask me? Why not ask his Red Eyes Black Dragon instead? You are the King of Games, aren't you?"

Yami pursed his lips in thought. "Good idea Mokuba!" Yami closed his eyes and reached into his store of Shadow Magic within the Millenium Puzzle. Soon, he had gathered enough to contact the spirit of Jou's favorite card. "Red Eyes Black Dragon?" he called.

The impressive-looking monster appeared in his mind's eye, a disinterested glint in his gaze. "Yes, mortal?"

"I wish to inquire about your master's treatment here. Kaiba has not hurt him, has he? Jounouchi is not unhappy? Kaiba is worthy of Jou's love?"

The minute Yami finished speaking, the monstrous lizard sat up on its haunches and fixed the former Pharaoh with both flaming eyes. "Ah, I see you are on of his friends. Well, I regret to say that Master Jou has been treated very well here. I will never say Kaiba is worthy of Jou's love, but I suppose he will have to do. I do not like Master's crush, but it is not for me to decide who he loves and who he doesn't. In a way, not even he can decide. Only his heart can choose, and it seems to have chosen Kaiba."

Yami nodded. "Thank you. Continue to take care of your master. Good bye."

"Farewell, Master Jou's friend." The Red Eyes Black Dragon disappeared and Yami was in Mokuba's room again.

"Did you get the answers you were looking for?" the teenager inquired.

"Yes. Yes, I did."

~*~&~*~

"What do you want to talk about Shihara?" Ryou inquired once they were far enough down the hall from Mokuba's room.

"I called Mai and told her that my mission is a failure and that I won't be able to find out whether Kaiba likes Jou or not," Shihara explained.

Ryou nodded. "So…Project Green Eyes then?" he asked in a wary tone.

"Yup! Oh, and I'm going to be leaving soon. Escape Plan C."

Ryou smiled. "Well, at least that's happening. I suppose I better go tell Yami of what's going on."

~*~&~*~

Mokuba! Yami! Ryou! Hey guys. Kaiba, Jou7, Shihara and I are having some hot cocoa! Want to join us?" Anzu asked, blue eyes flashing excitedly.

The three guys nodded and abandoned their wrapping to join the others in the living room. After each grabbing a mug, they settled on the couch, or in Mokuba and Anzu's cases, on the carpet with Honey and Jono, who were curled up sleeping.

Almost as soon as they had sat down, Shihara's cell started to ring. "Hello? What? Y-you're joking, right? Wait-now? I understand. Yes, thank you for calling. Love you Mom. Bye." Shihara slid her cell into her pocket. "I-I have to go. My dad's been hospitolized and I need to go to him. H-he may not make it!"

Everyone stood up and tried to comfort her. "Oh Shihara, that's so sad to hear!"

"It's okay," Shihara assured tearfully. "I just need to go to him now."

Seto walked over and placed his hand on the black-haired girl's shoulder. "If you need anything, just ask."

"C-could you take care of Honey and Jono while I'm gone?" Shihara asked, eyes shining up at the brunette.

"Of course. Now, your father needs you."

"Domo arigatou gozaimasu," she whispered as she grabbed her coat and left the mansion with a tearful good bye. The moment she closed the door, however, a huge smile crossed her face. "Thank God I'm an acting major!"

~*~&~*~&~*~

Next chapter: Project Green Eyes

To be posted soon.

No, really.

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Well if you want it soon, review!

The prosecution rests.

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