Chapter 18: Fateful Meetings

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Seto muttered as he glared at Jounouchi.

"Just relax...before ya know it, it'll all be over with," Jounouchi assured as he gently squeezed Seto's hand. The brunet's lips formed a tight line--no matter how much Jounouchi reassurred him, he didn't look any more forward to the impeding meeting.

For the occasion, Seto wore a white dress shirt that was buttoned down enough to expose his chest, a pair of vinyl pants that gleamed in the neon lights, a pair of boots with exterior steel plates on the toe and heel, and a Korean glass bead necklace. It was a simpler style compared to his previous fashions, but it had as much style as his previous fashions.

Jounouch's dress was more of the standard fare that he usually wore, albeit neater in appearance. He wore an unwrinkled, forest green T-shirt that was tucked into a new, unfaded and very clean pair of black jeans; he also wore cherished "Air Muscle" athletic sneakers which appeared as though they had hardly been worn, and a pair of dog tags around his neck--one of which bore his name while the other remained blank.

Seto sighed heavily. "You know I hate being placed in a social situation."

Jounouchi grinned sheepishly. "I know. I'll be here, though. Yer gonna be all right. 'Sides, there's a bar."

Seto nodded lazily as he craned his neck to look around the district, the various colours and flashes of the neon lights and adverts capturing his attention. Although he had lived in Domino nearly all of his life, he was still new to the experiences of the Domino nightlife. Jounouchi, on the other hand, was as much a part of it as the neon signs that were illuminated around the pair.

Jounouchi had taken notice of Seto's wonderment, and smirked. "I'm guessin' that ya ain't out much at this time."

"I have an obligation to Mokuba remember?" Seto reminded as he continued to stare at the signs. "But otherwise; no. I don't usually have any reason to be in places like this."

"Man...maybe I oughta take ya out on dates, or somethin'."

Seto suddenly turned a wide-eyed gaze to Jounouchi.

Jounouchi couldn't help but chuckle. "What, did I say somethin' to make ya look like that?"

Seto blinked as he placed a hand to his face in an effort to hide the blush. "No; it's just that...the very idea of me, the master of the ancient art of anti-social, actually getting involved in a relationship just like any normal, well-adjusted—"

Jounouchi raised his index finger to Seto's lips. "There's a first time for everythin', right? I mean, if everyone was born knowin' how to do everythin', that takes the fun outta life."

"Somehow, your little reassurances always seem to make me feel a little better." Seto smiled warmly as he leaned in close to Jounouchi.

Jounouchi grinned as he planted a kiss on Seto's forehead. "By the way, am I ever gonna get my jacket back?"

Seto slowly raised his head, glaring at Jounouchi.

Jounouchi shrugged, appearing innocent. "What? That thing's my treasure."

"It's in your closet in the guest room. You can take it back whenever you want to; I don't need it anymore."

Jounouchi blinked. "Oh. Okay..." He looked up. "Oh hey; we're here. Just relax, and don't worry...it'll go over well."

Seto leaned close to whisper. "They're not going to bother us about the fact that we're underage?"

"Age? Pfft. I'm the exception to the rule and since yer with me, there won't be no problems 'cause they know me. 'Sides, ya act so mature, they'd never know the difference." Jounouchi winked to Seto as the two approached the door.

"Katsuya! You've made it," Mai greeted as she walked over to hug the dirty blond. She wore a shimmering indigo strapless cocktail dress with matching stiletto heel boots. Her golden hair was held up, the curls bouncing with each step she took.

Jounouchi reached out towards Mai and pulled her close, kissing her firmly on her glossed lips. Seto realized that his cheeks were suddenly feeling hot from jealousy; he turned away in hopes that the two lip-locked blonds wouldn't notice.

"So nice to see ya, Mai," Jounouchi murmured as they withdrew from their greeting kiss.

Mai smirked. "So, where is this gorgeous boyfriend of yours that you told me about? He must be something if he's managed to capture your eye."

"He's the one in the shiny black pants," Jounouchi pointed as he rested his hand on the small of Mai's back, guiding her to Seto, who was glaring at Jounouchi, mouthing "Gorgeous?!" to him.

Mai's mouth gaped open as she gazed upon the brunet. "My God Jounouchi; how you managed to land this one is simply astounding." She stopped in front of him, slipping her delicate, lace-dressed hand underneath his chin. "Let's have a good look at you; I want to see if you're as much of a looker as Katsuya here described."

Seto couldn't help but look over at Jounouchi rather confusedly as Mai checked over his face. He glanced at Mai for a moment, noticing that her expressions clearly displayed approval.

"I've seen many a beautiful boy in my lifetime, but this one is truly a rarity," Mai concluded as she approached Jounouchi. "Very soft skin and silky hair. Smells very nice, too; cologne with a hint of cloves and tobacco. With the exception of his smoking habit, he takes very good care of himself. You'd better keep him for yourself and not let anyone get more than a fleeting glance at him, because the second you let him go, someone else will surely snatch that androgynous creature up." She smirked as she glanced back at the perplexed Seto before facing Jounouchi once again. "I also couldn't help but notice that he he's endowed...trust me, I know these things."

Jounouchi blushed as he scratched the back of his head. "Hey, hey; we ain't at that point just yet."

"Well, remember it for future reference...by the way, if you two ever get to that point..." Mai suddenly lowered her voice to a whisper. "...who would be top?"

Jounouchi bit his lip as his eyes fixated themselves onto the floor. "Uh...we haven't really even discussed the subject o' sex yet."

"Oh my. That's certainly something...you usually manage to bed them within a month, tops. Could this one actually be the one?"

Jounouchi shrugged. "Who knows...could be. I really like 'im. He really seems to like me. We just make out; I tend to fondle 'im in some areas, but we ain't really gotten past second base, truth be told."

"Well, don't hurry it. Perhaps he's the type that expects you to make the first move, like a man would. That could also answer the question as to what position he'd take during sex..."

Seto, bottoming out to me? Jounouchi raised a curious brow. "Well, we won't know 'till we get to that-if we get to that."

Mai nodded. "Well, when you feel that that time is fast approaching, you come see me." She looked over Jounouchi's shoulder, noticing a stationary Seto. "You don't have to stand there, you know. Jounouchi and I are simply talking about you, in a nice way of course. We'll be done in a little bit, but in the meantime, why don't you make yourself comfortable? That's what people do here, after all."

Seto slowly nodded as he looked around for the bar, his brows momentarily rising as soon as he had discovered it. He immediately set out towards it when he glanced to his left and was stopped by what was there.

A woman was sitting in a corner chair by her lonesome, nursing a fist-sized glass of scotch. Despite the dim lighting, her golden hair was easily noticeable. It was tied back, though her bangs hung over each side of her face, the very tips gently touching her chin. Her blue eyes were as intense and cold as Seto's own, though they also implied a sense of deadliness behind them. She was wearing a white cotton top with a plunging neckline, jet black slacks and a pair of black buckled high-heeled shoes.

Seto recognized the woman.

She's another contender at the Iron Fist Tournament...Nina Williams. He narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the woman, his brows furrowing. She's considered to be a very dangerous woman, but there's something about her that seems terribly familiar to me. I'm not sure what—

"Boy with the blue eyes."

Seto's eyes widened as he snapped from his thoughts. He whirled around, only to be standing face-to-face with another woman. She had auburn shoulder-length hair, piercing blue eyes, and wore a strapless scarlet dress. The dress had a slit that ran up her left leg, while the right side bore an artistic design of a peacock. She appeared rather cross.

"Be careful as to how you stare at my sister. If she were to notice you, she could cause you great injury," the auburn-haired woman stated curtly, her Irish accent noticeably thick.

"Hn. I wasn't staring at her because I was attracted to her, I was staring because I thought that I knew her from somewhere else." Seto frowned at the auburn-haired woman.

She raised a brow. "You know my sister? Impossible; you're too young to have ever met her."

"I merely implied that I had seen her from those populartelevised matches that she is participating in.," Seto hurriedly replied as he walked as quickly as he could towards the bar. Hn. She seems awfully over-protective of her sister. She's likely preventing people from getting close to her sister ...

He seated himself on one of the stools that stood by the counter, and pulled out a package of his precious clove cigarettes. He looked over his shoulder and had noticed Mai and Jounouchi approaching him.

"Hey; Mai wants to talk to ya fer a little bit. I'm gonna go out back and fire me up a blunt," Jounouchi hastily said as he patted Seto on his shoulder before proceeding.

"Jounouchi--!" Seto was unable to find the proper response. Mai instantly wrapped her arm behind Seto's neck.

"So, let's talk for a little bit," Mai proffered. She glanced over at the bar. "Oh; you were getting a drink. What do you like?"

Seto sighed as he rolled his eyes and pocketed his cigarettes. "Scotch."

"Do you take it as is, or...?"

"It doesn't matter."

Mai seated herself upon one of the stools. She patted a stool adjacent to her right, motioning for Seto to sit down. Seto walked over and took the seat.

Mai turned over to the bartender. "Shuya, serve up two glasses of scotch; as is." She smirked as she turned back to Seto. "So, let's hear your end of things."

Seto sneered. "Girl talk isn't exactly my cup of tea."

"We're not having tea, sweetie. Jounouchi's told me so much about you. I want to hear what you have to say about him, and perhaps get a little more about yourself out of that."

Seto glanced over at the newly arrived glass of scotch. "Look, Mai; I'm not much for conversation. I'm not sure what exactly you're expecting, but I am not one to elaborate on too many details at a time, if any at all."

Mai nodded as her scotch was placed in front of her. "Jounouchi told me to expect that. From what he told me, you're a very introverted person."

Seto glared at the blonde as he sipped his scotch. "If you're going to use that psychological labeling garbage, I'll be taking my leave."

Mai shook her head. "I don't mean to. I don't want to know because I'm just some nosy old lady who just has to hear the latest gossips. I'm a very close and personal friend of Jounouchi's, and I want things to work out for him."

"Yes; he told me just how close you two were," Seto drawled as he took another sip of his scotch.

"So early into the relationship? I knew Jounouchi had balls, but...if he had told it to anyone else, he'd certainly be single again with a few hand marks on his face to boot." Mai paused as she tasted her scotch. "I must ask, why did you take it so well?"

"Simply put: the past bears little meaning to me as far as actions are concerned. You take and manipulate what experiences you can from it and then put the rest of it behind you."

"I see. I don't want to digress, so I'll jump back to the previous subject...the main reason I wanted to meet you was just to see what kind of relationship Jounouchi is getting himself into. I consider him to be a very special person to me, as he's the one and only person whom I've ever..." she paused. "...'shown the ropes'. I want to be sure that the person he's with is someone he deserves."

Seto arched a brow. "So that's your game? Play the role of the overprotective parent as you interview your child's potential lover. You simply could have said so." He took another sip of the scotch.

"Your analogy holds more truth than you realize," Mai replied as she swirled her glass.

Seto looked away from the scotch and at Mai.

"He's told you that he's from a broken home, right?"

Seto nodded. "His father's some deadbeat drunkard with gambling problems. I suppose it makes sense that he seeks out someone to act as a responsible adult for him."

Mai nodded. "So, I want the truth. Tell me how you feel about him."

"Feelings?" Seto snorted. "I'm not the pathetic, whiny emo type who spends his nights angsting to his little online journal buddies."

"No, it's nothing like that at all. All I'm asking is that you explain how you find Jounouchi to be."

He stared into Mai's violet eyes as he moistened his lips in preparation for speaking. "If you must know, I find Jounouchi to be absolutely careless in his actions and extremely impulsive in his thoughts that he often speaks up when it's unnecessary." Seto paused to take another sip of his scotch. "That having been said..." He sighed. "I can't say it."

"Oh? Is it that difficult to admit positive feelings?"

"Yes; especially to someone I've only known for five minutes."

"But this is strictly confidential."

"That's easy for you to say. I have much difficulty in trusting people."

"I give you my word; the only people that will know what you said are you and me. Jounouchi will only find out through your own actions."

Seto glared at the woman intensely. "This is going to be difficult to say then, so bear with me." He took in a deep breath. "Right. Jounouchi...no; this is Katsuya. Katsuya is the most headstrong person I have ever met. He's headstrong, he's amazing in the way that he gets along with my younger brother, and he makes me feel significant."

Mai smiled. "You certainly seem to admire his strong, masculine features, which is a good thing." She paused to imbibe a sip of her scotch. "You certainly seem to enjoy the positive attention he pays to you."

"And there won't be another word in regards to that."

"Mmm." Mai twirled one of her golden locks around her index finger. "So, I want you to tell me how you met Jounouchi. I want the truth. I know how he met you, but surely, you knew of him first seeing as how you started the 'game'."

Seto stared intensely at Mai. "Elaborating about my own past is something I would never do. You ask too much of me."

"Yes, but you said that you would take what you've learned from it, and discard the rest. Surely, you had learned that you were indeed having the 'hots' for another boy."

Seto smirked. "Clever girl...using my own beliefs to betray me. You insisted on keeping this confidential; I am holding you to the promise."

"The only way he'll ever find out is if you tell him." Her lips formed a sultry smile. "Will that suffice?"

Seto narrowed his eyes in distrust as he downed the remaining scotch; the burn almost made him wince. "Very well." He slammed the glass onto the counter.

No sign of Kaiba yet.

Jounouchi exhaled a puff of smoke from his marijuana blunt as he nodded to himself.

A good sign then. I hope those two can get along...

He took another drag of the blunt.

I hope they don't become friends the way Kaiba and I became close. Getting' kicked by heels ain't fun.

He exhaled once again.

Whose heels, Katsuya? Mai's, or Kaiba's?

He chuckled to himself over the thought as he flicked the butt of the blunt from his fingertips and stomped down upon it.

I just hope Seto's alright with disclosin' a little more information than he likes to. Will pro'bly hate me fer it, but it wouldn't be me if I didn't take a risk.

Jounouchi sighed as he shut his eyes, murmuring to himself.

He suddenly heard a scraping sound; he opened his eyes and whipped his head to his left.

A man stood eight paces away from Jounouchi.

Probably a bum wantin' a smoke, Jounouchi dismissed with a disgusted sneer.

"Excuse me...I'm sorry to have bothered you. I was wondering if you could help me out."

Yup. Bum.

"If it's a smoke ya need, get on over 'ere, an' I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, but it's not a smoke I need."

"So, what is it that ya need, then? Got no money."

"It's not money I need. I need to show you."

Jounouchi snorted as he heard footsteps splashing on the puddles, slowly yet progressively approaching.

The man stepped into the overhead lamppost. He wore an open blue-gray hoodie, with frayed holes where the sleeves used to be. The hoodie just stopped short of his waist; he wore nothing beneath the top so as to display his well-toned torso and arms. He wore a pair of loose, wide black jeans that bunched at the ends over a large pair of simple black steel-toed boots. He wore three belts, two of which where worn in an unusual fashion; the one was worn across his waist as normal but the other two were worn at his side, forming a loop for each side. His hood was draped over his eyes, its shadow cast as far down to his nose.

"You..." Jounouchi's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry? I don't believe we've met." The man reached into his pocket. "I'll only be a second. I just need to know..." He held out a small, flat square-shaped object. "...if you've seen this boy."

Jounouchi raised his fists. "I know who ya are...yer the guy that killed Hirtuani, aren't ya?"

The hooded man cocked his head to the side. "Hirutani?"

"Don't ya fuckin' play dumb—"

"No; I know who you're talking about. That pitiful gang leader, right? Well, more like ex-gang leader, I suppose. Anyway, I had heard his flunkies were still running around, trying to find a new leader. You were a member of that gang; how did that go? I assume that they were pursuing you as their candidate for leader."

"What?!" Jounouchi scowled. "How did ya know that I used t'be—?"

The hooded man chuckled. "I also know that you're often seen with Seto Kaiba, the very boy I am looking for. It took some doing, but I managed to track you down."

"Well, there's no way in hell that yer goin' near 'im, unless yer lookin' to get yer jaw broke," Jounouchi warned.

"But it's not a direct approach I'm going for," the hooded man insisted as he shrugged his shoulders.

"So what th' hell are ya waitin' fer—URK!?"

Jounouchi suddenly felt a powerful force impacting onto his abdomen, forcing him to hunch over. He looked and saw that the hooded man's fist was resting on his midriff.

The hooded man smiled sadistically. "I was waiting for you to blink."

"B...bastard..." Jounouchi coughed as he fell over onto the ground.

The smile remained on the man's face as he picked up Jounouchi, placing the teen over his shoulder.

"That ought to get Seto's attention." He smiled, and looked up to his right. "By the way, I don't know what you're still waiting for up there! You had your chance to kill me and now it's too late!" He laughed as he retreated. The unseen would-be assailant uttered a curse.

Mai summed up Seto's recollection in one word:

"...Amazing."

Seto lowered his eyes. "You understand now that you cannot tell Jounouchi about this, at all. This is not something that I'm personally comfortable with; it's not something I consider 'normal' of myself."

"There's no such thing when you fall in love," Mai stated as she swallowed the last of her scotch.

"Love? I never said that."

Mai smiled coyly. "Oh? Then you'll have to forgive that little slip."

"Hn."

"I wasn't putting words in your mouth; believe me." She glanced at the neon clock that hung over the bar. "Jounouchi should have been back about now. I doubt that the joint was potent enough to make him the least bit stoned, and he never smokes more than one. Could you perhaps...?"

"I would have regardless." Seto reached into his pocket and tossed a generous tip for the bartender.

"Given that you two are a couple of hormone-driven teenage boys, I won't be offended if I don't see either of you again for the rest of the night. Just do me a favour and remind Jounouchi to call me sometime, okay?" She winked at Seto. "Have a good night."

Seto glanced back at Mai before continuing his way to the back door.

An interesting woman, to say the least...where Jounouchi gets his friends from is beyond me.

He stepped outside and into the back alley, his nose wrinkling as he inhaled the musty scent.

He looked around, frowning when he saw no visible sign of Jounouchi.

Finally, he crossed his arms, his right fingers drumming on his left bicep. "Jounouchi, if you're planning on an attempt to jump out from somewhere and scaring me, it's not going to work! I'm onto you!"

He arched a brow as he heard the sounds of someone shuffling out of a hiding place. The sound came from behind him; he turned around.

"Thank—you?!" Seto clenched his teeth as he positioned his legs in his Tae Kwon Do stance.

"Me—I mean; you?!" The person blinked as he raised his night-vision goggles, revealing his ashen eyes.

Seto immediately reached for the intruder's arm, hooking his right arm above the man's elbow and taking hold of his wrist, trapping the man in an arm-lock.

"I warned you that I never wanted to see you again. I hope you have a good explanation, because my patience is low and a good arm-breaking would make me feel so much better."

"Nice to see you too, Kaiba-boy!" Amelda exclaimed, his face contorting with pain as Seto progressively tightened his hold.

"Don't you ever call me 'Kaiba-boy' again, got it? Would you like to explain what the hell brings you back here? And are you aware that two of your mercenary buddies have been looking for you?"

"Varon and Rafael?" Amelda blinked. "Shit; I better hurry this up, then."

"Ahem...patience isn't getting any thicker. What the hell are you babbling about?"

Amelda looked up at Seto. "I know who kidnapped Jounouchi. I tried to nail the guy who took him but he saw me first."

Seto gradually loosened his hold on Amelda. "Someone has kidnapped him?!"

Amelda took the opportunity to wriggle out of the arm-lock. "Yeah; that someone happens to be the man that hired me to kill you."

"The elusive hooded man," Seto growled through his teeth. He approached Amelda once again. "Take me to him."

"You sure you want to do that? He'll kill you the second he sees you."

Seto grasped Amelda's coat. "And I'll send you packing to the emergency room if you don't take me to him."

Amelda remained calm. "So, you're willing to die if it means that the blond is safe." He laughed. "You are an odd boy. Are you sure you are capable of taking him on? Why, if I recall correctly, you couldn't even defeat me on your own."

"Only because you fucking cheated in that fight."

"And what's to say that the hooded man won't? He is carrying a katana, and just kidnapped Jounouchi in an attempt to get to you. He's no better than me in that respect."

"I've done enough training over the past month and a half to ensure that such a predicament won't happen again—I'll defeat him before he even pulls any bullshit. Now, can you shut the hell up and take me Jounouchi?"

"I was; but you kept on talking to me!"

"Just go!" Seto pointed.

"Fine, fine!" Amelda exclaimed as he walked ahead. "Jesus Christ, it amazes me that nobody else has tried to kill you yet..."

AUTHOR'S COMMENTS

You read right—Jounouchi got kidnapped! If you've heard my rants, you're probably wondering how I could fall into such a cliché—believe me, I hated that I had to write this, as Jounouchi is definitely too tough—but don't worry, because Jounouchi won't be treated like a damsel in distress.

Also, what could the brief cameo appearance of Nina Williams (yes; I like her) have to do with Seto? Another question that will have to be answered another time, dear readers...

And Amelda is indeed back, and his reasons are going to be revealed in full next episode. You cannot afford to miss the next chapter, because the identity of the hooded man will be revealed—who could he be? There's only one way to find out, and that's by tuning in for the next installment.

Thanks again for taking the time to read, and for leaving your reviews! I'll be checking more fics out, so stay tuned...