(WARNING: This chapter contains boys kissing other boys. Wow!)

Chapter 14: One Night at July's

Jounouchi gently turned the nob and opened the door just enough so that he could take a peek inside the room.

It's just as she said...Kaiba's here.

Seto was seated in a hunched-over position on the left edge of the bed, his head hung low. His sienna tresses obscured his face.

He's clearly upset. Don't hear any snifflin', so he's obviously not cryin' about whatever's botherin' him.

Jounouchi slowly opened the door wide open and carefully stepped inside, his hands alternating as they remained on the doorknob so that he could shut the door as soon as he stepped in. He turned around and saw that Seto remained unchanged.

Jounouchi sighed as he gently bit down at his lower lip, unsure of what to say. Fuck it, Katsuya. This could be yer chance to really tell Seto what's on yer mind...so just say it already.

"So, uh...July told me you were here," Jounouchi stated in a gentle tone.

Seto made no reply.

"I, uh, understand if ya don't want to talk or nothin'...but at least let me know what's goin' on, huh?"

Again, Seto made no reply.

This is getting nowhere, fast. Jounouchi scratched the back of his head. "I guess ya don't like talkin' about somethin' personal, huh? Ya got issues with trust or something'? Maybe some kinda past trauma? As I've always told ya, Kaiba, there's a lot about you I don't know...and it seems like that keepin' secrets thing you had goin' on ain't exactly helpin' you right now."

Jounouchi's amber eyes remained on the brunet, who made no reply or movement.

Jounouchi was about to throw his hands up in the air to concede defeat, when he heard a mumur—

"...he took Mokuba."

Jounouchi blinked. "Mokuba? Yer kid bro? Who nabbed him?" He paused, and gently smacked himself in the head when he put two and two together. "Oh shit...Amelda got to him? How?"

Seto remained unmoving. "He managed to find out where I lived, and when I came home after seeing you yesterday, he was in the process of taking Mokuba. When I tried to stop him, he shot me with a tranquilizer, leaving me completely helpless to stop him."

Jounouchi's features softened with a feeling that he hadn't really felt for anyone aside from his own sister. He slowly approached the brunet. "The son of a bitch did all that...shit, Kaiba! I can understand that yer upset and all, but ya shouldn't be blamin' yerself for it!"

"But it is my fault!" Seto finally glanced up, his azure eyes meeting with Jounouchi's amber pair. Jounouchi noticed that there was a hint of redness in Seto's eyes; a sign that he was trying his best to not to cry over the situation.

"Dude, Amelda got the lead on you...all ya gotta do is bounce on back and get Mokuba back," Jounouchi replied.

Seto shook his head. "I don't even know how to find him, or where to begin to look."

"So that's it?"

Seto blinked. "What's it?"

"Yer brother gets nabbed, and it's the end of the world?" Jounouchi shook his head. "This is such bullshit! There's no way someone like you could give up so easily on this!"

Seto returned his gaze to the floor. "I just...I just can't figure out where he is. I've tried everything; I've searched the Net, checked databases, tried numerous methods of tracking his locations, and have found absolutely nothing. I have exhausted my sources."

"Look at me!" Jounouchi suddenly commanded. He did not bother waiting for Seto to reply; the dirty blond instantly took ahold of Seto's shoulders. "Seto! Seto, look at me."

As if his name were a command for an act, the brunet slowly raised his head, his hurtful stare meeting with the gaze of the dirty blond.

"Seto...I never thought I'd wind up sayin' this, but...yer a lot smarter than this. A hell of a lot. You can figure out a way to find that Amelda guy and get yer bro back...ya just gotta use what happened to ya to help ya and not keep ya from doin' what needs to be done!"

Seto lowered his eyes. "Even if I were able to figure out a way to save him, the fact of the matter is that I failed him."

Jounouchi frowned, but it was more of a saddened frown than a frustrated or angered one. "Kaiba...Mokuba is really important to ya, I can understand that. I got a baby sister myself—"

"No; you don't understand," Seto interrupted. "I'm the only family he's got."

Jounouchi slightly tilted his head to the side. His hands still rested on Seto's shoulders. "Because yer parents are dead, right? What about yer other relatives? Don't they help out at all?"

"They..." Seto bit his lower lip. "I can't tell you."

Jounouchi put on a stern face. "Kaiba...I told ya that ya can't keep on keepin' secrets."

The brunet's lips moved as if he were speaking though no words were heard.

Jounouchi's hands slowly lowered; they hovered just above the brunet's elbows. "Hey...ya know, ya got a lotta faces that I've seen...but this one looks like the most honest of 'em. I can see a lotta the hurt ya been goin' through...goddamn, ya really did a good job hidin' it when you were bein' Kaiba or Hirano or whoever...but now, things have gotten real crazy an' shit. Yer startin' to come apart, and ya got nobody to put ya back together 'cause yer so busy makin' sure that nobody gets anywhere near you...shit; it's no wonder yer feelin' like this. Ya just can't keep pretending."

Jounouchi continued to watch Seto as the brunet had shut his eyes to consider Jounouchi's words. Jounouchi shut his eyes as he sighed.

Seto looked over at Jounouchi, the pain remaining on his face. "Like I said, I'm the only family he has left, as he is mine. We've been parentless for a very long time, you see, so I was forced to grow up quickly. Our mother was a sickly woman; she died soon after Mokuba was born. When I was eight, his father was killed in an accident, and we were both shipped off to an orphanage."

"Oh damn...so that explains why Mokuba's so important. That's rough."

Seto stared at Jounouchi with a grim expression. "Since the death of our mother and his father, I promised him that I would take care of him because the way I saw it, either one of us or both of us would live a difficult life, and I would be damned if he was going through any kind of hardship at all. Needless to say, I had to make a hell of a lot of sacrifices on my part to make this work out, and if I need to make any more, then I won't hesitate to do so."

Jounouchi appeared strangely forlorn as he ingested Seto's explanation; he almost reached out to touch the brunet's shoulder but held it back as he was unsure that it would be the right thing to do. He decided that talking was the best thing to do.

"Shit, that's understandable, but it sounds to me that yer killin' yerself just to make sure he's got the best there is to offer. I mean, ya gotta be there for him, yeah; but it sounds like ya don't worry about yerself much, if at all, and that's just not healthy, man."

Seto closed his eyes. "Perhaps. But I certainly won't respect myself much if I am unable to find Mokuba again. It's imperative that I bring him back."

"Look; I understand that. But ya shouldn't beat yerself up over somethin' that was beyond yer control. Whoever this Amelda is, he's got it out fer ya fer some unknown reason, and now he's fuckin' with yer family. It's normal to be upset for not doin' yer best, but ya gotta make it a priority to make things right again!"

Seto blinked a few times, his head lowering. "Stop it. You're making it sound so easy."

"Shit; nothin's ever easy. I just happen to always learn the hard way, so I'm used to doin' things the hard way. I just wish there was somethin' I could do somethin', ya know? Like do somethin' that could help ya...but I don't know what ya want. D'ya even know what it is that ya want?"

"Sleep," the brunet whispered.

Jounouchi cupped a hand to his ear. "Huh?"

"I want to get some sleep. It's been a long day." Seto repeated as he lay down on his side, facing away from Jounouchi.

Jounouchi shook his head. "Okay. If that's what ya need, then by all means." I wish ya wouldn't sidestep me so much, though. I'm just tryin' to help.

"You can't help me with this," Seto whispered as he clutched the dark coloured sheets.

Jounouchi said nothing.

"How is he doing?"

Jounouchi glanced at the tanned mature woman before lowering his eyes.

July's lips flattened. "Forgive my pressing, but just what exactly happened?"

"Something personal."

July nodded. "Are you leaving?"

"No," Jounouchi answered. "I'm just gonna let 'im get some rest." He slowly stretched. "Hopefully a little nap will help 'im come to his senses."

"Well, you know you're welcome to stay however long you would like. I just recently stocked the refrigerator, so help yourself." July yawned. "Goodness; it's barely eleven and I am already feeling tired. My age must be catching up with me."

Jounouchi nodded. "Well, maybe you too should get some rest, huh?"

July chuckled. "Oh no...So long as I can make rational decisions, I can afford to stay up. Just make sure that you get some sleep, so you can have enough energy, okay?"

"Sure thing, 'mom'," Jounouchi joked. "By the way, thanks for callin' me."

July nodded. "I figured you would know how to best handle the situation. Have a good night."

"You too," Jounouchi replied as he opened the door and entered the room for the second time that night. As he shut the door behind him, he looked up and noticed that Seto was sleeping soundly in the bed. He slowly approached the brunet.

"Man...yer awfully peaceful lookin' when yer sleepin'," Jounouchi whispered to himself as he inspected the sleeping beauty. He suddenly felt his eyelids becoming heavy with weariness, and a yawn confirmed to the dirty blond that he should heed the July's suggestion to slumber.

Jounouchi looked around the room, his brows knitting together as he made the realization that there was only one bed in the room, and the only other place to sleep was the floor.

Shit. I can't sleep on the floor; I'm still feelin' kinda sore after that fight with Kaiba...he hits too hard at times. I can't sleep in another room either; otherwise he might wake up and sneak out before I get to him. No chairs in here...so I guess that leaves only one option.

Jounouchi quickly studied the bed, and appeared relieved. It was a king- sized bed, and Seto barely occupied half of it.

I can sleep on the other half, facin' the other way. Hopefully I'll wake up before he does.

Jounouchi yawned as he removed his blue school jacket. I gotta ask him to give me my jacket back.

He lay down onto the unoccupied side of the bed, facing away from the brunet, and closed his eyes.
Seto, wake up.

The brunet fluttered his lashes. He moaned as he slowly sat upright, his hand running through his sienna tresses. "What...?"

Wow; you actually listened to me.

Seto sneered. "It's you again."

Of course it's me; I never pass up the opportunity to lecture you.

"If it's about Mokuba—"

Of course it's about Mokuba...

"—you can shove it. I already am aware of my failure."

What are you talking about? Oh, that's right. Mokuba got kidnapped, and the first person you blame is yourself. "Oh no, I've failed, woe is me; angst, angst, angst." What the hell is wrong with you?

"Look; I swore to him that I was going to watch over and take care of him. He was taken from me right in front of me, and I was made helpless as I watched it happen."

That's all? Oh Seto, Seto, Seto...when are you going to realize that you're only human? You can't do everything; Mokuba's kidnapping wasn't your fault.

Seto lowered his eyes.

Besides, you've done far worse to Mokuba in the past. On purpose. You do remember that one time--

"Don't you dare," Seto snarled. "I do too realize my limits, and I would appreciate it if I wasn't reminded of my past...actions. I'm past that."

Liar. Your past is what's been driving you to be better towards Mokuba. You have been doing a good job, but it's destroying you at the same time. I'm surprised he doesn't notice. Oh; that's right. He shrugged it off as you going through an "awkward time". I wonder if he even knew that it was you that tried to k—

"I told you not to go there!" Seto shouted as he rose abruptly to his feet. "But...perhaps Katsuya is right...perhaps I am taking this much too hard. I just...I hate breaking a promise. Especially once that is very significant."

Oh, stop with the angst. You haven't broken anything yet, unless you're out to break some arms. Mokuba still needs you. You can still be there and rescue him. That's what it means to be there for Mokuba and make sure he is okay. You need to act.

Seto nodded. "I couldn't believe that I agreed with Katsuya, but I actually agree with you as well. I need to get my head cleared and concentrate on finding my brother." He nodded to himself. "Right. I wish I knew that puppy's secret for being able to handle these hard luck situations, though." Suddenly, his features changed. "Oh shit. Ohhhh shit. Of course! Katsuya! I can't believe I hadn't considered consulting his street knowledge in this!"

Well, it's a step in the right direction. Just wake up already.

As if on command, Seto's lashes fluttered, his blue eyes taking in the room of the "safe house" that he was currently occupying.

He grimaced. "I hate sleeping," he moaned aloud as he tried to sit up, but noticed that something was holding him in place. Seto was perplexed by this until he glanced down and noticed a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist.

"Where...?" Seto tried to squirm out of the hold in order to find the responsible person, but the hold was just strong enough to keep him in his place. He continued to stare at the arms, noticing how muscular the forearms were and the ruggedness of the owner's hands. He could feel someone gently breathing on the back of his neck; whoever was holding him was still sleeping. Seto took in a deep breath; his nose wrinkled upon recognizing the faint scent of cigarette smoke.

He put the pieces of the puzzle together.

"Jounouchi!" Seto immediately broke from the hold, falling out of the bed in the process. The abrupt action awoke the dirty blond.

"Wh-what th' hell?" Jounouchi slowly sat in a hunched over position. "Th' hell you hit me for?"

Seto quickly stood upon his feet, though he faltered somewhat as he was still shocked over what had happened. "You were holding me in your sleep!"

Jounouchi rubbed his eyes. "Say what?"

"I woke up, and I noticed that your arms were around my waist, like I was your lover or something," Seto huffed.

Jounouchi stared at the brunet blankly. "That's all?"

Confusion dampened Seto's hysterical state. "...this is not a big deal to you?"

Jounouchi smiled as he shook his head. "Naw. People tell me I'm a cuddler in my sleep."

Seto tilted his head to the side as he folded his arms. "Interesting talk for someone who parades his 'manliness' around like a trophy." He shook his head. "Never mind that. Just what were you doing sleeping in the same bed anyway?"

Jounouchi shrugged his shoulders. "I was afraid you'd leave in the middle of the night, and given yer condition and all, I didn't want ya doin' that, so I figured if I stayed in the same room, I might have had a better chance of catchin' ya when ya woke up."

"You could have slept on the floor, puppy," Seto growled.

"Heh; there ya go with the dog cracks," Jounouchi noted as he leaned back. "Anyhoo, I couldn't sleep on the floor. I'm still a little bruised from our last fight. Boy; ya kick too damn hard."

Seto smiled.

Jounouchi's eyes widened. "Whoa...hold on there! Is Little Boy Blue actually smilin' there?"

"I just...I just don't know what to think now."

"Aw come on. I'm not makin' this up, Kaiba. Ya kick too hard. I'm gonna be needin' a hot water bath, with them salts or somethin'."

Seto looked upwards at Jounouchi. "You are such a jackass," the brunet stated as he tried to restrain a chuckle. "Those are some clever excuses you've come up with just to cop a feel."

"Say what?"

"Maybe I'm just trying to distract myself from my current problem, but I want to settle this first."

"Settle what?"

"Your reason for holding me like you did."

"I told ya! I'm a 'cuddler'!"

"Yeah, sure. Just admit it already, Katsuya. You have a thing for me."

"Waitaminnit! Look at the pot callin' the kettle black, eh?" Jounouchi accused as he pointed at the brunet. "Yer the one who started it all, bonin' me in that one fight!"

Seto's cheeks reddened. "That...was an accident. And besides, your attempted evasion practically proves it. You do have a crush on me."

"No; I don't. I just find the thought of you in a wet shirt hot."

"I'm the object of your little fantasies?"

"No thanks to you, with that tight leather and your chest—oh my God! Do you always have to show that thing off?"

"I'm not responsible for your prying eyes."

"They wouldn't pry if they weren't so damn...so damn big! I swear, yer tryin' to make me a queer, man!"

"I wasn't trying to do anything. I'm just..." Seto bit his lip in discomfort for what he was about to admit. "I'm just very aware of my sexual magnetism, so I just go along with it."

"Oh Jesus...ya mean, yer like one'a them sluts, but...but like, some kinda man- slut."

"Yes," Seto replied. He suddenly realized what Jounouchi meant. "Wait; no!"

Jounouchi laughed. "Gotcha!"

"That wasn't funny," Seto pouted as he faced away. Jounouchi casually approached the sulking brunet, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Well...if ya didn't think that was funny, then yer really not gonna be amused by this."

"By what, precisely?" Seto demanded as he turned to face Jounouchi, only to suddenly find Jounouchi pressing his slightly chapped lips against the brunet's fine lips, catching him in a surprise kiss. Jounouchi had wrapped his arms around Seto's waist to ensure that the brunet would resist as little as possible. He needn't have worried; Seto was far too surprised by Jounouchi's unexpected action to move, and he was far too enthralled by the kiss to even think about doing anything else.

He could feel Jounouchi's tongue feeling and lapping against his own; begging for the brunet's own to play with him. Seto complied, his own tongue playing the same game as Jounouchi's. The brunet could feel Jounouchi's hands wandering up the small of his back, and as far down as to cop a fee; Seto raised a brow.

The kiss felt like minutes, maybe longer. Seto couldn't help but admit to himself that he was enjoying this moment, and couldn't wait until they finally broke apart to ask Jounouchi what the hell he did that for.

As if on cue, Jounouchi slowly backed away, breaking the kiss in the process. He smirked. "So? Was that funny?"

Seto slapped him across the face.

"Ow!" Jounouchi held a hand to his stinging cheek. "The hell was that for?"

"Your wandering hands," Seto flatly stated as he rested his hands on his hips.

"Then I guess yer gonna have to keep on slappin' me 'cause I'm about to cop me another feel!" Jounouchi charged towards Seto.

"Oh, you better not try it!" Seto parried Jounouchi's hands with ease, but he had held them up just long enough for Jounouchi to get a firm yet gentle grasp on them.

"Hey; let go!" Seto exclaimed as he attempted to struggle.

"Whatever ya say." Jounouchi instantly released his hold, causing Seto to fall backwards. However, Seto managed to take hold of Jounouchi's loose T- shirt and pulled on the material, dragging Jounouchi downwards.

"Hey!" Jounouchi managed to break his fall by placing his palms against the floor, keeping him propped above the floor—and Seto. Seto too had propped himself with his hands, but was stunned by Jounouchi having nearly crashed on top of him, his hips almost touching the dirty blond's own. The two stared at each other with baited breath, unsure of what to make of the awkward situation.

Seto's features softened as his azure eyes stared into Jounouchi's amber pair.

"Jo...Katsuya..."

Jounouchi smiled softly upon hearing his true name as he leaned closer and pressed his lips to the brunet's once again; the brunet accepted the kiss with neither resistance nor hesitation. Jounouchi cupped his left hand around Seto's face, his right remaining at his side. Seto ran his right hand through Jounouchi's rough dyed hair, as his left wandered around his side, finding Jounouchi's right hand. He slipped it beneath Jounouchi's hand; Jounouchi interlaced his fingers with that of Seto's in response.

They were at it for what seemed like forever, when suddenly Seto abruptly broke the kiss, rising to his feet and marching towards the bed.

"Hey, what the hell?" Jounouchi scrambled to his feet. "What did ya do that for?"

"It was just too weird for me," Seto answered, his eyes remaining on the wall.

"Well, yeah! But did it scare ya or somethin'? Or was it somethin' I did? I didn't cop a feel or nothin', I swear—"

"It has nothing to do with you," Seto sighed. "It's just...I really can't explain it properly."

Jounouchi scratched the back of his head. "Oh..."

"But, if you must know..." Seto turned around. "...yes. I did enjoy it."

Jounouchi smiled warmly. "Well, I wasn't too worried 'bout that, but that's good. I gotta admit, kissin' a guy's not that much different from kissin' a girl..."

"I wouldn't know," Seto said in a soft tone.

Jounouchi's jaw fell slack. "Say what? You ain't never been kissed up to this point? You have got to be lyin' 'cause with looks like yers, there's no way ya coulda gone so long--"

Seto shot a glare at Jounouchi.

"—without ever...bein'...okay, ya know; I wouldn't make such an ass out of myself if ya at least told me more about yerself."

Seto frowned. "I already told you that I was an orphan, and that alone is enough for me to reveal to someone."

Jounouchi nodded. "Heh. I know yer not the most open person in the world, where as me—"

"You constantly broadcast yourself to the world," Seto finished as he looked directly at the dirty blond.

"Yeah," Jounouchi agreed. "It's just how I am, but I guess ya knew that already. So uh...how're ya feelin'?"

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm still upset about losing Mokuba and yet, I understand that I have a responsibility towards that promise I made to him." Seto looked over at Jounouchi with curious eyes. "But I'm also very confused."

"Confused? About what?"

"What do you think?"

Jounouchi thought the question over, his eyes widening when he realized what Seto meant. "Oh, that! Well...I dunno. Would ya...would you want to pursue this?"

Seto was momentarily surprised by Jounouchi's momentary use of proper speech; something considered wholly uncharacteristic of the dirty blond. It was an indication that Jounouchi was serious about the situation.

Seto looked down. "I honestly don't know."

Jounouchi nodded. "Yeah...I guess this really is 'weird'. I mean, I'm as straight as they get...I'm like, super straight. And suddenly, here I am jammin' my tongue down the throat of another guy, who's such a total introvert, he ain't never been kissed or nothin'..."

"So is it true?"

"Huh?"

"Do you...like me?" Seto frowned for a moment. I sound like such a schoolgirl...

"Do you like me?"

"Considering that I haven't strangled you for copping a feel and kissing me, then yes."

Jounouchi shrugged his shoulders. "Well...I'm not so sure what to make of it, I still find it weird. But hey, I can give it a try. 'Sides, yer pretty enough to be mistaken fer a girl, so it wouldn't be so bad."

"How very complementary," Seto drawled as he rolled his eyes. "Well, I suppose now that that is over with, I should try to find Mokuba again."

"Huh? I thought ya used up yer resources?"

Seto smirked. "I had nearly forgotten about one other source for possible information."

"Oh? What would that be?"

"The source is right here." Seto answered as he gently knocked on Jounouchi's head.

"Hey, cut that out." Jounouchi swiped at Seto's hand like an annoyed cat. "I don't follow ya."

Seto shook his head. "You have street smarts, and with street smarts comes connections to those who thrive in the underbelly of Domino that could provide clues and information as to where Amelda may be. After all, a red- headed foreigner is quite conspicuous here."

"Ah, I get ya." Jounouchi reached under the bed and pulled out his briefcase, holding it up to display to Seto. "I'm pretty sure that I have a few of my contacts in this bag somewhere. Shit; I think I may have written one of the numbers in my math text," Jounouchi explained as he reached inside and dug around the inside.

Seto stared at the dark leather briefcase, his azure eyes inspecting the damaged carrier, taking in the little tears and noticeable pieces of black electric tape that was used to repair the larger tears.

Something appeared out of place.

"Jounouchi, could I see that?"

"Hrm?" Jounouchi looked up from his digging. "What is it?"

"There's something wrong. I need to see your case."

"Okay, but I don't know what yer gettin' at..." Jounouchi handed Seto the briefcase.

Seto examined the briefcase closely, his eyes narrowed as he stared at the lower left-hand portion of the case.

"That son-of-a-bitch...so that's how he managed to correctly estimate my destinations," Seto concluded.

"Uh, wanna let a confused Jounouchi in on this?" Jounouchi leaned closer, his amber eyes trying to locate the spot Seto had been scrutinizing moments ago.

"Amelda managed to stick a tracking device onto your briefcase. That's how he managed to find us the day he encountered us for the first time. Oddly enough, it appears to still be active...this gives me an idea. All I have to do is reverse the signal, and use it to track Amelda instead. He's constantly on the move, and I doubt that he's discarded the main equipment used in conjunction with this small tracer here."

"How...?" Jounouchi's thick brows knitted together as he tried to recall any particular event in which the red-haired assassin had planted the tracking device on his briefcase. "Wait...I ran into that guy once; it was the day before our fight! He bumped into me, and when I tried to help him up, he grabbed at my briefcase at one point! Damnit!" Jounouchi punched the wall, though he restrained himself enough to not puncture the surface.

Seto smiled. "Well, this little device happens to be an old model, so hacking it should be as simple as blinking."

Jounouchi interlaced his fingers and held them upwards in a stretch. "Man, yer really into that hacking stuff...where'd ya learn how to do that?"

"Free time. Lots of free time," Seto answered. "My briefcase is beneath the bed. Go fetch it for me."

"Do I look like your pet?"

"Jounouchi, fetch."

"Yeah; he seems to be feelin' just fine; asshole," Jounouchi muttered as he reached underneath the bed, gasping the handle of the briefcase and pulling it out. As he rose, he was met with a surprise kiss from the brunet.

"Mmmph! Mmmph-mmph mph mmphmmph?!" Jounouchi's words were muffled underneath Seto's lips.

Seto quickly withdrew from the kiss. "Thank you." He took the briefcase from the perplexed dirty blond.

"I thought ya felt weird about this?"

"Hn," Seto snorted as he quickly cracked the combination lock on his briefcase. "I can't become comfortable with something unless I do it as often as I can, regardless of how red it makes my face. Besides, you managed to get one over on me; it was only fair that I did the same."

"You are so confusing," Jounouchi concluded as he crossed his arms across his chest. "Man; what time is it..."

"Almost six. You should probably get ready for school," Seto reminded as he typed furiously on the keyboard.

"Man, fuck that Saturday shit," Jounouchi scoffed. "I'm gonna go find Hirutani. Sooner I settle this, the better. 'Sides, I doubt they'll be expectin' me to attack in broad daylight."

"Go with what works," Seto replied as he ceased his typing to rub his temples. "The computer is zeroing in on Amelda's location. I'm gonna take a piss."

"That's a bit much information there, boy billionaire," Jounouchi retorted.

Seto punched Jounouchi in his shoulder as he passed through. "I told you not to refer to me in that way."

"No; ya said I couldn't refer to ya as 'rich boy' or somethin'!" Jounouchi called as Seto stepped into the bathroom.

"Same difference!"

"Same difference, my ass," Jounouchi snorted as he glanced over at the computer. He watched the screen intently as the computer scanned the numerous addresses of Domino City.

Seto walked out of the bathroom, his hands wrapped around a hand towel as he raised a brow at the blond. "Has it pinpointed it yet?"

Jounouchi stared at the screen. "Well, it's not doin' anythin', so I would assume that it's found what yer lookin' for."

Jounouchi scooted over on the bed to allow Seto to take a seat beside him so he could see the result. Seto frowned.

"He's located in an apartment building about two miles from here. I could make it on foot easily."

"So you're gonna head out now?"

Seto closed his laptop shut. "The sooner I arrive, the sooner I can confront Amelda and get Mokuba back."

"All right. I'll go ahead and take care of my business as well." Jounouchi sighed. "Ya know...there's that chance that neither of us will walk away."

"I know," Seto reminded. "But my intent and determination is more than a match for such as small a concern as death. Just promise me that you won't do anything so wreckless when we go our ways."

Jounouchi nodded lazily as he reached for his school jacket. "All right, all right. Before we go, could ya do me a favour?"

Seto tilted his head from curiosity. "Hrm?"

"Ya think I could get a quick feel in before we go?"

"No."
AUTHOR'S COMMENTS

This chapter was difficult to write as I wanted to go through with the Kaiba angst but also to present the moment that was long promised since back in Chapter 1—Jounouchi and Kaiba's (physical) confession to each other. It will take it some time, however, for their relationship to develop, but I promise that things will remain interesting between them even as their relationship escalates.

The next chapter will definitely be intense: Jounouchi will confront the Crashers, and Seto will confront Amelda. You definitely won't want to miss the next episode—the ending alone may prove to be quite shocking!

Anyway, thank you all for the reviews that you have left—almost 100; wow! I hope you enjoyed this installment, and I appreciate your reading and reviews!