Chapter 15.

The next few nights afterwards, Kaiba's dreams of Joey were now beginning to become a habit in the morning, as if he was unconsciously trying to get himself to go back to Joey and get his 'fix'. And this particular morning, Kaiba felt the worst heartbreak, as realization hit him....he couldn't do this anymore.

He was certain what he was feeling was unnatural, and yet like a fool he let Joey slip even deeper into his heart. 'No....I am Seto Kaiba. I will NOT let him beat me in this game, not when I am so close! That's not going to happen. I can't stop running away from him, like I've been doing. I've got to face this, and end it now.'

It hurt....it really hurt for this realization to hit him, but he felt he had no choice. Joey was backing him into a corner, forcing him to keep Mai, because of what Joey said to her, and yet Joey was trying to push him the other way, which would probably put Kaiba into greater problems. He had enough. He was going to push back these false girlish feelings that invaded his mind, and be the cold-hearted person he was accustomed to being....even if he had to hurt himself in the process.

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Yugi got a call at the game shop later that afternoon. "Hello? Oh, Kaiba...." Yugi said, as the gang looked over.

"Ask him what that place is he's building down the road!" Tea whispered.

Yugi looked over, and said, "Joey, he wants to talk to you." Surprising the others, especially Joey. After all, this wasn't the time to call. 'Kaiba should know the gang's here. Why is he calling now?' Joey thought.

"Hey Kaiba, what's up?" Joey asked him.

Kaiba said in a very calm tone, "Joey....I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time."

"Naw....nothing like that. I'm just hanging out here with the rest of the gang." Joey made sure to add, so he would understand.

"Is that so?" Kaiba asked. "Well, I need you to come over here to my house....now. I plan to prove to Yugi that you're as lousy at playing Duel Monsters, as I knew you were....and I also expect you come alone."

"What? What's that supposed to mean? Maybe, Mr. 'I'm better than everyone else' you forgot that I ended up first place in the last tournament. Whaddya think of that!" Then before Kaiba could say another word, he simply threw in, "Oh yeah, well I'll be there!!" And slammed the phone down, making himself look over-dramatic in front of his friends. But the phone-slamming he did on purpose to get even.

"What did he want?" Yugi asked.

"He said I don't deserve that title I got, and planned on proving it to me. I'm going over there right now, and kicking that smirk off Kaiba's face!" Joey said, beginning to storm out.

"We'll come with you!" Tristan said.

Joey turned, saying, "Naw....I'm afraid you can't. Like Yugi, he says I gotta do this on my own. I'm sorry, Tristan."

"Well don't worry Joey, we're here for you. Remember, even when we're not there to cheer you on, we're still there in spirit. Don't let Kaiba rattle you, like that." Tristan said.

"Good luck, Joey!" Tea added.

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Joey went to the door of Kaiba's mansion, where his butler answered the door and led him to the game room. Joey immediately took a liking to this place, as he quickly checked out the game stuff, then noticed the snack bar. Kaiba entered and closed the door silently to see Joey shoving his face, stopping in mid-chew, as Kaiba's crossed his arms, stating, "Make yourself at home...." Dripping with sarcasm.

"Showwy." Joey said, with his mouth full. He paused and swallowed, nearly choking on it, then downed a coke and said. "I couldn't resist....you've got great stuff! Besides....I didn't eat yet."

Momentarily taken off-guard, Kaiba smiled in amusement, as he shook his head and approached the dueling area, asking, "So....are you ready to duel?"

"What??" Joey asked. "You mean you were serious about that? I thought you were only kidding...."

"I don't kid." Kaiba stated coldly, sobering quickly, as he approached the duel disks, taking them both out, and added, "Though I can understand your confusion. After all, challenging you is hardly worth my time."

"We could play another game...." Joey teased, as he reached for the other device from Kaiba.

Kaiba slammed the device into his chest, saying coldly, "Play the game."

"What's up? You seem pissed about something." Joey said, moving to the other side of the field.

"You want to talk? Fine....we'll talk, but only after we duel." Kaiba said, putting his deck in.

Joey shrugged, saying, "Suit yourself....but I warn ya, I'm gonna kick your butt, this time."

They played their game of duel monsters. Though it didn't show, Kaiba was fighting his own inner battle against his feelings towards Joey, as he began his strategy. Joey had his own strategy going on, as well....but it was mostly to counter Kaiba. At the same time, Joey also couldn't stop thinking about Kaiba, and why he was acting so distant again.

As it turned out in the end, It was a lot closer game then Kaiba would have liked. It began with him dominating the game, as he usually did. But Joey suddenly sent out his Jinzo that screwed Kaiba's whole strategy up. He had to scramble fast to regain control in time, and as it was....he almost lost. One turn difference could have made the game for Joey.

"Well....I guess you won." Joey said, noticing Kaiba didn't look pleased. "What? You won....didn't you?"

"I should have done better than that." Kaiba complained. He unconsciously cursed himself, knowing full well that Joey had his Jinzo in that deck, and still didn't prepare for it. He had once mocked Yugi for blowing the tournament because he was emotionally weak, and ended up almost blowing it himself for just about the same reasons. Kaiba put the duel disk away, taking the other from Joey, and doing the same.

"So....you gonna tell me the real reason I'm here? Were ya maybe just looking for a reason for a rondevue?" Joey asked.

"I heard your meeting with Mai." Kaiba muttered.

Joey swallowed hard. "Uh-oh." Never realizing what the problem was....until now.