::Kiawna and Yami are hiding behind a desk::

Yami ::whispers:: Are you sure he won't know its a trap?

Kiawna: Shh.no, he isn't very bright you know. Oh.Here he comes, be quiet.

Orli: ::observing the sugar cubes:: Mmm.sugar. ::grabs one and the net falls on him:: HEY!

Kiawna: ::laughing hysterically:: HA! Now help me with this chapter or no more sugar for you.

Orli: ::sighs:: Fine. Just get me outta here.

Kiawna: ::removes net:: Ok, what will be in this chapter?

Orli: ::shrugs:: they will have to read to find out.

Kiawna: Sounds good. All right people, I'll let you go read.

The Truth, Math and Lunch

"Fine by me, pup." Kaiba simply stated and started gathering his stuff up. He tried not to notice Joey quickly leaving the class. 'Damn.' He thought, ' What the hell is up with him today.' Kaiba scolded himself for sounding so concerned. It was the puppy. Joey was nothing more to him, just another part of his day.

Kaiba inwardly sighed. He knew he was lying. He hated to admit it, but he was beginning to feel something for Joey. He headed out of the classroom and looked for Joey. 'At the very least I should see why it upset him. If I have to I'll.' He hesitated before he added, 'Apologize.'

There was five minutes before the next class started. Kaiba made his way to the boy's bathroom as quickly as possible. It was the one place he figured Joey would go. The guys it seemed never went to the bathroom in school. He went into the bathroom to see if Joey was in there. When he entered he was surprised to see that Joey was sitting in a corner his knees to his chest, arms folded over them and his head was down sobbing, so he didn't hear or see the brunette come in. Kaiba felt his heart soften somewhat. That usually only happened when he was around Mokuba. Kaiba turned around and locked the bathroom door so no one would come in and Joey wouldn't have to face the embarrassment of his crying.

Swallowing his pride, he sat beside Joey. Kaiba wasn't sure what to say, but somehow he knew he had to apologize. Even if he didn't know why exactly, the dog comments never got to him this much before. "Listen.Joey." He began, thinking that if he compared him to a dog again anytime soon he would probably regret it.

Joey looked up at Kaiba with tear stained cheeks and red eyes, almost as red as a Red Eyes Black Dragon, but not quite as fierce. Kaiba continued, trying not to let the eyes get to him, "I honestly don't know why that simple statement put you over the edge. Usually you argue and say you aren't a dog or you insult me back? What's up?"

Joey continued to cry. He wanted to tell Kaiba everything. He knew that if Kaiba were his friend he would probably do something about his problem. He looked into Kaiba's blue eyes. Somehow, they looked as if they had softened. Kaiba was looking at him as if he really wanted to know and really cared what was up with Joey. He looked at his feet again and decided that he might as well tell Kaiba, because if he didn't tell someone then he would regret it later.

Joey sighed and began quietly. "My dad compares me to a dog. After he beats me, he insults me by saying I'm weaker than a dog and I should be in a shelter." He paused to take a deep breath before another wave of tears came. "Most of the time he sends me to my room without food. The bastard then goes and drinks some more and before I know it I'm getting beaten up again for no reason at all."

Kaiba felt sorry for him. Which is also another first. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling this was going to be the beginning of a lot of 'firsts'. He never realized that calling Joey "pup" really did that much damage. Kaiba wanted so much to comfort Joey and tell him everything was going to be all right, but before he had a chance the bell signaling the beginning of second period. Kaiba sighed and cursed the bell under his breath. He got up and held out his hand to help Joey to his feet.

Joey took his hand. He was surprised at how soft they were. When he was up he thanked Kaiba for listening and went to the sink to wash his face. While he was doing this Kaiba unlocked the door incase anyone wanted to come in. When Joey was finished they both headed to Math without another word.

Kaiba and Joey entered the class. Kaiba went to the back and opened his reading book, while Joey took his seat beside Malik. It didn't take him long to notice how red his face was. "What happened, Joey?" He asked, because the teacher hadn't started yet. Joey looked at him, puzzled. "You look like you have been crying. What happened?" Malik pressed.

Joey finally realized what he was talking about, "Oh," he replied, "It was nothing, I just poked myself in the eye that's all." Honestly, he knew that Malik was smarter than that to believe him, but before he could press on anymore, the teacher started, talking about their homework from the weekend. Joey sighed in relief. The only one he told about his home problems was Kaiba. Which, now that he thought about it was kind of odd. He never thought he would tell Kaiab anything. However, he didn't want to tell his friends because the problems with his father, in his opinion, would only get worse. If they tried to do anything to help, Joey had a feeling that his good for nothing father would probably go after them, and he knew he wouldn't be able to live with himself if anything happened to them.

As he listened to the teacher drone on about the Math problems, his mind began to wander. He then started thinking about what he told Kaiba earlier. Then it dawned on him, 'What if Kaiba tried to do something?' Joey looked back at the boy that resembled a Blue Eyes White Dragon. He was reading because he didn't have to check his work, he knew it was right. 'No wonder Blue Eyes is his favorite card.' He mused, 'It resembles him a lot.'

Kaiba looked up from his book because he knew someone was looking at him. Just out of habit, he glared, not meaning to, at the golden eyes that were watching him. 'Why is the puppy looking at me like that?' he thought. 'He looks like he is actually thinking.' He smiled to himself. 'My puppy thinking. That's amusing.' Kaiba's eyes widened, 'Did I just think my puppy? He isn't my puppy, what am I thinking? Just go back to your book, Seto.' So that's what he did. He went back to reading to try and push the puppy to the back of his mind where he would think about it later.

'Humph.' Joey thought as he turned around after getting a glare from Kaiba. 'What was I thinking, he wouldn't do anything for me. I was surprised he came after me just after last block.' He looked at his notes and began doodling, just out of habit of being bored. He continued to doodle and think for practically the whole class. He then looked at what he had drawn. He usually drew without taking a second glance at it until it was done. It was a very good picture of Blue Eyes. 'What the hell? Why would I draw Blue Eyes? If anything I should have drawn Red Eyes. I mean, it is my favorite card, not Blue Eyes. That is Kai-' A thought struck his mind. 'While I was drawing I was thinking about Kaiba. Damn it!' Joey mentally slapped himself as the bell rang, signifying that it was lunchtime. "Finally, I'm starving." He packed up my books, forgetting about the drawing and left the class.

Kaiba put his things away as he heard the lunch bell ring. 'What a surprise. He is always hungry.' He thought as Joey left the class. He sighed and followed him out of the room, but instead of heading towards the cafeteria like he was, Kaiba headed in the opposite direction to his car. He had promised Mokuba that he would take him to some fast food place today. Although he had no idea why, because Kaiba couldn't even stand the thought of fast food. For some odd reason Mokuba suddenly had this urge to go to a fast food joint like, what was the name of it again? He thought about that name for a moment, before it came to him, McDonalds. 'I guess it won't be too bad. I am going to be eating lunch with my little brother after all.' He arrived at the grade school and Mokuba was outside waiting.

"Hey big bro." Mokuba greeted, like he always did. "So, where we going for lunch?"

Kaiba smiled, which he made a point only to do in front of Mokuba. "I thought you wanted to go to McDonalds?" He asked. Mokuba scratched the back of his head. "You are really okay with that?" Kaiba nodded. 'Anything for my little brother.'
"That's great!" He said happily. "So, let's go." Laughing at Mokuba's eagerness to get to the fast food place, Kaiba quickly headed to the nearest one. It wasn't very far from the grade school, so they arrived within five minutes. Mokuba was out of the car and in the restaurant quickly. Kaiba got out, locked the doors and headed in after Mokuba. "Wow. There is so much stuff here." He said. "Hmm, what do I want to try first?"

"Don't go overboard, Mokuba." Kaiba said, "Remember, you still have half a day of school left. I don't need a phone call saying that you were sent home because you were sick." That was the last thing he needed on top of everything. Mokuba agreed and finally decided what he wanted.

"I want the chicken nuggets." He said. "With Sweet and Sour sauce." Nodding, he told the guy at the till what Mokuba wanted. "Would you like fries and a drink with that?" He asked. Kaiba looked at Mokuba for an answer and he nodded. 'Pathetic.' Kaiba thought. 'Who would want to work in a place like this? Getting minimum wage. And constantly asking, "Would you like fries with that?" I would never work in a place like this.'

"Is that all sir?" The boy asked.

"I'll just have a hot chocolate." He replied. The guy punched it in and gave the price. I pulled out $20 A/N: I honestly don't know the conversion in yen, so any money will be put in American dollars and gave it to him. He gave the change back and they sat down. Mokuba to eat and Kaiba to drink his, surprisingly good, hot chocolate.

"Why didn't you get anything else, Seto?" He asked.

"I'm just not hungry right now. I'll get something later."

"Okay, if you're sure." He shrugged and began to eat his nuggets. The truth was that he was hungry, but had too much on his mind to eat. Especially with the incident earlier and with what Joey had told him. 'How could someone harm him?' He thought to himself. 'Other than Yugi, he is probably the kindest person I know. Harming Joey was like harming a puppy.' He took another sip of his hot chocolate and stared at the wall behind Mokuba. 'He was defenseless; he probably never has a chance to defend himself. The coward probably goes after him while his back is turned or while he is sleeping. Just the thought makes me angry.' Kaiba sighed and made it a point to threaten someone's job later to make himself feel better. If he didn't then he would probably just punch something else. Kaiba wasn't sure how long he was spaced out thinking about Joey, but someone calling him snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Seto? Big brother." It was Mokuba. Kaiba looked at him somewhat confused. "I'm finished, and I have to get back before my class starts." He pointed out. 'Right, I was with Mokuba, oops.' "Okay, let's go." With that they got up and left the restaurant.

Joey took off towards the cafeteria after the bell rang. He was starved. He never ate breakfast and he even considered it a miracle if he got dinner. The special today was pizza. Joey's favorite. Joey got his food as quick as he could and went to sit with his friends, who were at the same table that they were always at. "Hey guys." He greeted, then added, "and Tea."

"Hi Joey." They all greeted back. Joey began to eat his pizza, but was quickly stopped when Malik asked him, "Why were your eyes so red during Math, Joey? And don't give me the 'I poked myself in the eye' crap. You walked in with Kaiba, did he do anything to you?" He looked around at the eyes that were on him.

"How do you know that Kaiba and I didn't just happen to walk in at the same time?" Joey countered. 'I hope that gets off the eyes.' He thought. Malik just glared at me while Marik spoke. "Come on Joey, don't give us that bull crap. If he did anything to you just tell us and me and Bakura would gladly get back at him for you." He grinned evilly, as did Bakura.

"No!" Joey cried, maybe a little too quickly. Yugi and Yami sniggered a bit. He glared at them the best he could and they stopped, but continued to smile. Joey sighed. "We just talked, that was all."

"About what?" Tristan asked.

"You can tell us, Joey. We are your friends remember." Tea put in and Joey finished "and your always there to listen, I know." She slouched a bit. 'I have heard it way too many times for my liking. I honestly don't know where she gets all these friendship speeches.' He sighed. "It wasn't anything, honest." They just looked at him.

"Okay, fine." Malik said, and Joey sighed, again, hoping they forgot about the crying. "Then why were you crying?" 'Damn'

"Um." Joey tried to think up a good story, "My teacher said something really funny before he let us out, and I just couldn't stop laughing." He replied with a sweat drop as he scratched the back of his head. 'I doubt they are going to believe that.' He thought.

"Ok, Joey." Yugi had finally spoke. "If you don't want to tell us what really went on, then that's ok." He said this with a smile. "When you are ready, you can tell us." Joey looked at him confused, 'what did he mean by that? Wait,.he doesn't think…oh crap.' He was just about to tell him that it had nothing to do with what he thought it did, but the bell rang, signaling the start of class. "See you, Joey." Yugi said after giving Yami a little kiss on the cheek. Ryou and Malik did the same to their yami's and along with Tea they said good-bye to Joey. He had Geography next with Tristan, Yami, Bakura and Marek as well as Seto. 'Great,' He thought, 'If Yami thinks the same thing as Yugi does, then this class will be very interesting.' He sighed, for what seemed like a record time, and they all headed to Geography.

Kiawna: Fwoo. That was difficult to write.

Orli: What are you talking about. I love this chapter.

Yami: ::holding his cheek:: Yugi kissed me.

Orli: ::on the floor laughing::

Kiawna: Stupid POV's. XP I think I will avoid them next time.

Yami: ::still holding his cheek:: He kissed me.

Kiawna: ::slaps him:: Snap out of it. It's not like it was the first time. ::rolls eyes::

Orli: Heh, he is going to be in trouble in the later chapters if he gets like that over a meesly kiss on the cheek.

Yami: o.O

Kiawna: ::snickers:: You're right.

Orli: Alrighty. Review everyone!