Rowan and Sakura, once again, do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any other anime for that matter. We are ownership-less. Hey! Come back here with our ship! Yes you, that creep in the back with the shady glasses and shifty demeanor! We know you have it and we want it back!

Ahem. Yes. Well…you get the idea.

Warnings: Uh…some smut…well, more lime-ish smut, but still…maybe some cursing…seeing how this was written before the fic itself…anyways…on with the story, right? One last thing- somewhere along the storyline it is to be inferred that Jou has the hots for Seto. Since it's not ever really mentioned flat out, just a heads up.

Pairing: SetoJou…heh !

Picking Up Rose Petals

The next morning, an anxious crowd greeted Jou and Seto as they pulled up in the sports car. Jou immediately recognized Yuugi standing at the school entrance, and when his violet eyes lighted upon Jounouchi in Kaiba's car, he ran up to the door and wrenched it open. Shizuka was right behind him, dashing over to the other side of the car and falling into Kaiba's arms with relief.

"Jou, we were so worried about you!" his diminutive friend exclaimed, throwing himself on Jou in a welcome embrace.

Standing behind Yuugi were the worry-strained faces of Anzu, Honda, Otogi, and Bakura. "Jou, what happened to you?" the brunette exclaimed as she too took the blonde in her arms.

"Yeah man, what gives? I get a call from your old man at eleven o'clock saying you ran out at eight! Where the hell were you?"

"And why are you in Kaiba's car?" Otogi added.

Anzu, who had been squeezing Jou in a crushing hug, glanced over his shoulder. She blinked as she looked into Seto Kaiba's icy blues. "Oh, hello Kaiba. How are you?"

"I'd appreciate it very much if you all took this little reunion away from my vehicle," he said coldly.

Anzu pouted at Seto's apparent bad will towards her and her friends and disentangled her arms from around Jou's neck with a huff. Jou got up slowly, looking towards Seto and his sister. "Thanks for the lift," he said at last.

Kaiba shrugged. "Don't mention it Jou," Seto said abruptly, arising from his seat in the car and slamming the door shut.

Jou turned to his friends as well, closing the car door with less dramatics than the brunette. "I guess we should go inside, huh? Don't want to be late, do we?" he said with an all too cheerful smile.

Bakura, Yuugi, and Anzu laughed. "You mean you're actually worried about your attendance Jounouchi?" the white haired transfer student inquired with a smile.

"Maybe getting lost actually did him some good!" Anzu suggested.

Honda added his two cents in with, "I just think Kaiba's rubbing off on him."

"Jou has a good idea guys. The bell's going to ring any second now and-" Yuugi was cut off by the loud clang of the warning bell. "And there it is now! C'mon guys, lets get inside, shall we?"

The group migrated over to the school building, some more reluctant than others. When they reached the school doorway and Honda, Bakura and Anzu were preparing to go down one hall while Otogi, Yuugi and Jounouchi another, Anzu turned to Jou.

"You owe us your story at lunch Jou; is that clear?"

"Yes, yes, it's clear!"

Anzu smiled and winked good-naturedly. "Good- just make sure you don't load up on food and make yourself incapable of comprehension! See you in Physics!" Anzu turned to her boyfriend and bent down to give him a peck on his cheek. "See you later Yuugi!"

Yuugi, blushing, nodded. "Right; I'll see you in History. Bye Honda, Bakura!"

"You guys have fun in math," Honda said, but by the look on his face it was obvious how much he was glad it was them going and not him. "See you at lunch Ryuuji."

"What, no goodbye kiss?" Otogi pouted when Honda, Anzu, and Bakura started walking away.

Sighing, the brunette quickly pecked the raven haired teenager on the lips. "How could I forget?" he jibed as he ran to catch up with the other two.

Otogi and Jounouchi flanked Yuugi as they made their way to class. By intervals, Jou heard the light, wistful sigh of Yuugi and the deeper, lustful sigh of Otogi on his right. Finally rolling his eyes, he burst out, "The way things are going in our group, Bakura and I will end up a couple and then our group of 'friends' will end up being one big love orgy!"

Otogi and Yuugi turned as one to shoot questioning looks at their friend. "Jou, what was that?" Otogi vocalized their question.

Jou shook his head. "It was nothing. Just a thought."

BRRRRIIIING!

"Oh shit, that's the last bell!" The three charged down the hall, luckily not the only ones late to class, and slipped into their room just as the teacher was starting the lesson.

"That was close," Yuugi leaned over and whispered to Jou.

Jou nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Otogi leaned forward towards the two others. "What are you guys talking about?" he whispered loudly.

Jounouchi and Yuugi shot Otogi a warning look, but unfortunately, the sensei had already caught then talking.

"What are you three gentlemen discussing? Hopefully number twenty-three of your homework."

Otogi, Yuugi, and Jou all nodded their heads with innocent expressions plastered to their faces. "Of course, sensei Okumori. I was just asking Yuugi whether he got that question right because I had trouble with it last night," Otogi said promptly.

Sensei Okumori squinted her beetle black buggy eyes at the three boys. "May I see your homework sheet Otogi-kun?"

Otogi smiled and waved it proudly in the air. "Certainly, sensei Okumori. And might I add that your blue checkered dress is most becoming on you this morning!"

Jou frowned. "Suck up," he whispered to Otogi.

"You're just jealous you don't have the same relationship with sensei Okumori as I do."

Jou turned his head to look at his black haired friend. "Nobody has the same relationship with sensei Okumori as you do," he joked.

"Mister Jounouchi, would it pain you too much to face forward?"

The rest of the class laughed at Jou's reprimand as he turned his red face forward. Sensei Okumori was glaring across the classroom at the golden haired troublemaker. "And where is your homework sheet?"

Jou blushed more as he realized that he had left it at home when he ran out the night before. "I…I forgot it at home," he said quietly into his lap.

Sensei Okumori raised a silver eyebrow. "Speak up, Jounouchi-kun!" she demanded.

"I don't have it," Jou said louder this time.

"Yes he does!" a voice beside the blonde piped up. Jou lifted his head to look at Yuugi.

"I do?"

Yuugi nodded and pointed at Jou's desktop with a grin. "You don't remember taking it out at the beginning of class?" he said.

Jou looked at the paper on his desk and smiled when he realized it was Yuugi's homework sheet. "That's right; how silly of me! I was thinking of Physics. I have my homework sheet right here!"

Sensei Okumori raised her other eyebrow. "I think something funny is up, but if you say that is your homework sheet, I'll believe you." Jou sighed in relief. "This time," she added.

Meanwhile, Seto and Shizuka had not returned to the school building as the others had. When the warning bell rang, the pair were meandering across the school grounds, talking and walking arm in arm.

"Seto, why did you drive Katsuya to school today?" Shizuka asked quietly.

Seto looked down at his shoes. "I don't know how much I can tell you Shizu."

"What happened? You guys didn't get into trouble, did you?" Shizuka's caramel eyes shot up to search Seto's stony visage.

"Well, I don't know if your brother would appreciate me telling you what condition I found him in."

Shizuka stopped walking, and therefore so did Kaiba. "Seto, please tell me. If Katsuya was in trouble, I think I should have the right to know."

Sighing, Seto plunged into his story. "I found Jou by the side of the road at around ten o'clock last night. He was…drinking." Shizuka gasped, but Seto did not give her time to comment. "I stopped my car and offered to give him a lift back home, but he refused, so I told him I'd take him back to my place. He agreed, so we were driving back. That's when we got caught in a heavy thunderstorm and we decided to stop at a motel for the night. And that's pretty much it."

"Katsuya was drinking? But…why? Isn't he happy? He's got great friends, and I mean, sure, he's not a genius like you, but he doesn't do too terrible in school…and he knows what it's done to otousan…I just don't get it." Shizuka shook her head in disbelief.

Seto started walking again, gently pulling the girl on his arm into motion as well. "I lied earlier when I said that was all." Seto turned to face Shizuka, taking her hands into his. "Shizu, your brother admitted something to me that it seems he's been keeping secret for quite awhile."

Shizuka's forehead creased in concern. "What is it Seto?" she murmured quietly.

"Jou…he told me that for awhile he's had a crush on me."

Shizuka's eye's widened in surprise. "What? No, that's not possible! Katsuya loves Mai…if he liked you, why did he never say anything?"

Seto shrugged his shoulders. "Possibly he was afraid of losing his friends' trust and loyalty."

"But we were all fine when Honda and Otogi got together! Why would he think we'd react differently?"

Seto, looking over Shizuka's shoulder, spotted a bench behind the girl. "Shizu, let's sit down. There's something I have to tell you."

Pulling her over to the seat, they sat down, knees touching. "I'm listening."

"Shizuka, your brother and I…we kissed last night." Seto's voice was low and quiet and Shizuka had to lean forward in order to hear him.

"Nani wa?" (What?)

Seto's shoulder's hunched. He couldn't understand why he found it so difficult to tell Shizuka this. He didn't feel anything, so why should it matter, right?

Seto's hands roamed around Jou's waistline, ending up with a purchase on the small of his back, pulling the blonde closer to him. The warmth of Jou's body against his own was almost too much to take…

Seto shook his head, trying to erase the image from his mind. "Jou asked for a kiss, so I kissed him."

Shizuka nodded. "That all?"

Seto smiled sheepishly. "You know me too well, Shizuka. And you're right…I kissed Jou a second time after the requested kiss. A fit of madness, I think."

"Did you feel anything?" Shizuka's voice was gentle and coaxing; Seto was surprised not to hear some resentment or disgust.

The brunette shook his head, then shrugged. "I don't know. I honestly don't know. But, Shizuka…you're not mad?"

Shizuka smiled. "Why should I be? You kissed, I understand that. And the situation was such that something was bound to happen!"

Seto exhaled heavily. "Shizuka, I felt…something. Otherwise, I wouldn't have kissed Jou twice. Can I have some time just to think things out?"

Seto looked up as he felt Shizuka's soft palm slide over the back of his hand. "You mean a temporary rest period in our relationship? I don't see why not. Whatever's best for you Seto. Just know, I'll wait for you, if you find there are no feelings."

"And if there are…" Seto trailed off.

"I'll be fine with that as well. So, friends?"

Seto smiled. "Friends for now?"

"Friends forever!"

"Alright Jou, you owe us your story!"

Jou looked up from his roast beef and turkey sandwich, compliments of Yuugi, and sighed. "Fine, fine, I'll tell you what happened last night.

"My dad and I had a fight, I got angry, ran out of the house. I walked around for awhile when it started to rain. Kaiba drove by, offered me a ride, and I was too wet to complain. Rain got really heavy, and we had to stop at a hotel for the night. End of story." Jou picked up his sandwich and took a huge bite out of it.

Everyone else simply blinked at Jou's obviously lacking story.

"C'mon Jou, tell us the whole thing!" Honda whined.

Jou glared. "I di' tell 'ou th' 'ole thi'," Jou said through his sandwich.

Anzu frowned at her friend. "Don't talk with your mouth full!" she scolded. "And don't think we're stupid either."

"Wha's tha'-" Jou began, but with a warning glance from Anzu and a nudge in the ribs from Otogi, swallowed the rest of his bite before speaking again. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means we know when you're lying," Yuugi answered from Jou's left.

Jou folded his arms across his chest defensively. "I wasn't lying! That's what happened; I swear!"

"I think that's all we're going to get out of him right now," Bakura spoke up. "I vote we just live with the story he's given us for the present. He'll tell us the details when he's good and ready to."

Yuugi, Anzu, Honda, and Otogi grumbled their agreement with Bakura's suggestion. "I still think you're lying, Jou," Honda added.

"So, as you guys know, Halloween is coming up soon!" Otogi piped up as everyone began to turn their attention back to their lunches. "And I've decided to throw a Halloween party this year at my place!"

Anzu glanced up, interested. "Who's invited?"

Otogi grinned as he seemingly by magic pulled out of his bag a pile of bright orange paper. "The whole school is! I need you guys to help me put these fliers up after school."

"I'll help you Otogi!" Yuugi volunteered.

"Me too!" Bakura and Anzu said at the same time.

"Count me in," Honda added.

Otogi turned to Jou with a smile. "What about you Jounouchi?"

Jou shrugged. "I'm not doing anything else. Why not?"

Otogi nodded in approval. "Good. Now, all we have to do is find Shizuka and see if she'll help as well."

"Help with what?"

The table turned as one to Shizuka, who was standing directly behind her brother.

Otogi held up one of the pumpkin colored fliers. "Will you help put these up around the school this afternoon?"

Shizuka nodded and grabbed the flier out of Otogi's hand. "Sure thing! Where will we meet?"

"In the math wing at three o'clock sharp."

"Okay, see you then!" Shizuka turned to leave, then spun around and added, "Katsuysa, I want to talk to you later, okay?"

"Uh, sure Shizu…" Jou's eyebrow's raised in question.

"Thanks ani! See you guys this afternoon!" Shizuka spun around and skipped out of the cafeteria. (ani- brother)

Jou and the others blinked. "She's oddly cheerful…"

Honda shrugged as he dug into his tuna salad. "Ah, Kaiba probably just promised to lay her or something."

Jou whipped around and glared at his friend. 'What was that?" he snarled.

Honda laughed nervously. "Nothing Jou! I swear, I didn't say anything!" Honda's eyes darted around quickly when he realized Jou wasn't buying it. "Bakura said it!" he exclaimed desperately, earning a glower from the white haired male.

Jou snorted. "Likely story. And just for the record, I did hear what you said Honda and I will get you for it."

Honda nodded and hid his face in his bowl. "Thanks for the warning buddy," he mumbled.

There was quiet around the table once more, when Anzu piped up suddenly. "Oh, I forgot to mention until now! I heard from Mai in America!"

Yuugi smiled up at Anzu. "Oh, how is Mai?"

"How long has it been since she left?" Jou wondered out loud.

"I believe she left during the summer, so about three, four months?" Bakura replied.

Anzu beamed as she said, "Guess what? She's coming back to Japan next week, just in time for Halloween!"

Otogi smiled as well. "That's great! That means she can come to my party as well!"

"It'll be great to see Mai again," Honda said, leaning back in his chair (and forgetting that there was nothing but air to support him, resulting in Honda falling to the ground with a loud Thud! Ouchies…). "Don't you think so Jou?" Honda asked, turning to the blonde after straightening himself out.

Jou nodded. "Yeah! It'll be great to catch up with Mai when she gets back."

Yuugi looked at Jounouchi with concern. "You don't sound excited about Mai coming back."

"Yeah, I thought you'd be thrilled!" Anzu added.

"You mean you and Mai aren't a couple?" Bakura inquired.

Jou blushed at Bakura's question. "No, just friends."

"Oh."

Jou scowled at everyone at the table. "I know what you're all thinking! You're thinking, 'how can anyone as close to Mai as Jou is just be friends?' Well it's very possible!"

Honda laughed and reaching over the table, clapped Jou on the arm. "Okay pal, you keep telling yourself that!"

Otogi and Jou both turned to the brunette at the same time. "What's that supposed to mean!"

Honda shook his head. "Never mind…"

"Anyway, Mai arrives on Saturday, and I told her we'd meet her plane, so I expect to see you all at the airport, understood?" Anzu continued.

"What time?" Yuugi inquired.

Anzu laughed. "Oh yes, of course! Eight thirty-"

"Well that's not too bad!" Honda quipped.

"- in the morning."

Immediately Otogi, Honda and Jou voiced their discontent.

"That early? Are you kidding?"

"You actually expect me to be awake at that time? And on a Saturday?"

"Who's in charge of flight times? They must be insane!"

Anzu shrugged apologetically. "Hey guys, I didn't chose the flight time. But I still expect to see you all there. Even if I have to drag you out of bed."

Honda faked a grimace as he pretended to recall something. "I just remembered! Friday's the night before, so I don't think Ryuuji will be able to climb out of bed whether he wants to or not. So I don't see any reason to abandon him…"

Anzu crossed her arms and shot Honda a you've-got-to-be-joking look. "I don't even want to know what you two have planned. Just make sure the both of you will be able to get to the airport by eight thirty, okay?"

Honda mock bowed across the table to the sole female. "Yes okasan! I understand you perfectly!"

Anzu just rolled her eyes and packed up her lunch. "The bell's about to-"

BRRRRIIIING!

"-ring," Anzu warned, then dashed from the table, Yuugi at her heels.

"See you guys at three!" Otogi called after them. "Don't forget!"

TBC…

And so ends Chapter Two of Picking Up Rose Petals. We haven't even gotten to the flowers yet! This is the longest one-shot I've ever written…oh my, that's why it's multi-chaptered! Anyways, review, yada yada you know the drill!