4. The Conflictation

Joey told his friend's he'd meet up with them, and stayed behind to talk to the teacher. Everyone had almost all left when he interrupted the flaky history teacher from gathering her things.

"Miss Macarthur?" Joey spoke resolutely.

"Yes? ...What is it?" She asked, looking confused as the blonde teen addressed her.

"I can't be paired up with Kaiba!" He said bluntly, crossing his arms determinedly. Kaiba, typically being the last to leave a classroom, caught his name and stopped before he completely left the room. He looked over to the teen and teacher.

Joey was obstinate about his decision, and tried to look as resolute as possible while he stood in front of her. It wasn't very hard, considering the history teacher was about a couple of feet shorter than him. The history teacher, still confused, looked over to where Kaiba was standing and furrowed her brow.

"Well, why not?" She asked, still just as bewildered.

"What...??" Joey looked at her in shock.

'Is she serious?!'

"You gotta be kiddin'! He's a total as... uh, he's mean." Joey screamed at her in disbelief. The teacher frowned at his almost-slip, but didn't comment.

"I don't see a problem with Mr. Kaiba." She concluded, looking once more at the tall CEO at the doorway. "The pairings were random. No exceptions." The teacher looked at Joey with what Joey guessed was her interpretation of authority, before narrowing her large eyes while observing the young man in front of her.

"Mr. Wheeler..." She began, "Are you not failing my history class?"

"Ah... well..." Joey laughed nervously, slouching a little now.

"Oh my, you poor boy. You have not yet come to understand the significance of learning the great aspects of History!" Joey sweat-dropped, and it was all he could do to not roll his eyes.

"Ah... well..."

"But history is so important! Listen, young man... all you have to do is think of how the great men and women of history have affected our lives today. Then you will hold appreciation for history! This assignment is just what you need! You and Mr. Kaiba will make a great team, just think of the wonders of the past! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm meeting with Mr. Wheat to discuss the criteria for next semester. Good afternoon."

And with those strange words, the history teacher made her way to the exit, muttering a similar curtesy to Kaiba as she left. Joey sighed.

"Great..."

"If I didn't know what great grades you were earning, Wheeler, I would have just thought it was the research you're afraid of doing."

Joey fumed at the CEO's sarcasm, despising with all his soul the smug look that Kaiba was wearing. 'Just great. He had ta hear that... now he's gonna find some way to use it against me and make my life hell...'

"I ain't afraid of no research, Kaiba. Jus' the sight of your face when I havta work with ya." Joey backfired. He crossed his arms while looking at the tall brunette, not wanting to make a move for the door since a certain prick was in its way. Kaiba raised an eyebrow.

"Well, don't worry, that won't be happening. You'll be sent your half of the project by the end of the week. And don't concern yourself, no one will suspect you of cheating... I'll make sure the vocabulary used on your half is... kept to a minimum."

With that said, Kaiba turned around dramatically to leave, his long coat swaying behind him. Only Kaiba was able to get away with not being in school uniform.

"Hey, wait!" Insulted, Joey yelled at Kaiba. Kaiba froze, but only looked over his shoulder to Joey.

"What is it, mutt?" He asked, irritated. The blonde teen growled at the comment, but decided to let it go.

"I don' need you doin' my work! I can do it jus' fine!" He spat at the now annoyed looking brunette.

Kaiba now fully turned to face Joey and sighed with exasperation. He was afraid this might happen. "Look, Wheeler," Kaiba narrowed his eyes, speaking quickly and seriously. He was wasting too much time on the dumb blond. "Just swallow your pride and let me handle the work. At least this way you're guaranteed a passing grade..."

"Don' talk to me 'bout swallowin' pride!" Joey yelled defensively, "This comin' from the great Kaiba who's too afraid to even work with another human bein'!" Joey was just making generalisations, but he wanted to piss off the stubborn CEO. He had been offended by the other teen's words, and so he just wanted to bite back. Obviously, it worked, because Kaiba narrowed his eyes into dangerous slits, lowering his head slightly – giving him a eerie shadow over his face – before slowly marching up to the blonde with a deadly stride.

Venom was practically pouring off of the guy.

Joey twitched nervously, not realizing what he had said was so insulting that it would actually affect the CEO, who normally brushed aside his comments. He sweat-dropped and took a step back as the taller teen approached him, hitting the teacher's desk that was behind him. Kaiba didn't stop when he was directly in front of him, forcing himself right into Joey's personal space, not even stopping there and making the blonde lean back against the table until they were directly face to face... the taller teen practically on top of the shorter.

Joey's eyes were wide as they looked into the dark slitted ones above him. This was extremely awkward for the blond, and it wasn't only the position... he could feel the heat radiating off the body above his; could feel the warm breath brush his skin, the caress of the jacket that fell loosely around the brunette as it rubbed against his torso... they were too close...

Kaiba's lips were almost brushing against his own...

'WHY does this moment feel so weird...?'

"...NEVER call me afraid again, mutt... Never."

Joey was transfixed by the deadly eyes of the taller teen. The deadly words made a shiver run through his body, but he couldn't tear his own wide eyes away. When Kaiba finally turned swiftly to efficiently walk away, Joey was still bent backwards over the desk, supporting himself only by his arms behind him. Before Kaiba completely exited, he turned back one last time, and, speaking superiorly, said "Come to the mansion tonight. Five o'clock sharp."

He had watched as the CEO walked out of the room with an authoritative stride, and was now staring stupidly at the empty doorway.

Was his pulse beating so fast because the intimidating CEO had... scared... him?

...Or was it something else?

Joey was greatly disturbed by what happened earlier. He was currently ignoring his friends as they ate at the Pizza Palace; his mind stuck on the tall, dark CEO who had cornered him before. The triple-toped cheese-crust pizza with extra cheese, peperoni and prawns was absent-mindedly being pushed around on its plate, going cold and greasy as time continued on without it being eaten.

Joey looked at his mushy, triple-layered, half-eaten pizza with apparent interest. But his mind was not on his pizza. When his heart began racing earlier when Kaiba was so close... it must have been because he was scared...

'NOT scared... jus' intimidated...' Joey told himself. He didn't get scared... the only reason he had gotten so nervous in the first place was because of his dream. He had remembered Kaiba being in his nightmare somehow... and it subconsciously made him a little freaked of the tall brunette. It was only logical. Besides, Joey refused to believe that feeling that made his body shiver could have been anything else...

"...Hello! Earth to Joey!"

Joey looked up from his very interesting piece of pizza when a hand suddenly waved in front of his face. All his friends around him were looking at him... and Tea, with an amused smile, laughed.

"Hey, Joey... what's going on inside that big head of yours?"

Joey growled at her, "Hey! Watch who's head your callin' big!" He yelled at the laughing girl.

"What's wrong, Joey? You've been zoning out all day," Yugi asked, tilting his head as he observed the blond.

"Yeah," Tristan agreed, crossing his arms, "It's surprising you're even capable of so much thinking... let alone not finishing a pizza in more than one gulp..."

Joey just laughed bitterly at this. "Yeah, well... at least I'm not paired with a certain big-mouthed nut." He said smugly, smiling evilly at the now fuming brunette.

Tristan had been paired with Rebecca Cowen. A particular girl many tried to avoid. She was loud, and apparently loved to talk about herself – judging from all the history lessons they shared with her. She was pretty... but nothing strong enough to drown out her annoying personality. The girl was so excited when she was paired with Tristan, she actually got out of her seat to hug him. Many now guessed the girl had a crush on the unsuspecting brunette.

"I'm sure Serenity's gonna love hearin' 'bout Rebecca's new love interest..." Joey continued to taunt, pointing teasingly at the other teen.

Tristan growled, but refrained from making any childish actions. Instead, he just smirked at Joey.

"I actually think I got off quite well compared to some other pairings... like, say... YOU and KAIBA!"

Joey sat shocked for a second, being hit unexpectedly by that remark. All the others looked at Joey nervously, waiting for him to start yelling. But Joey just sat.

"Ahh... it's probably not that bad Joey..." Ryou tried to kindly comment, "...well... at least this way you're guaranteed a passing grade..."

It was meant as a reassuring comment, but Joey stood up with a scowl at Ryou's words.

"Why does everyone keep sayin' that??" He demanded, irritated. The five friends were looking up at him with wide eyes. Joey just sighed, slumping his shoulders in defeat. "Whatever."

The blonde looked over to the Palace's clock, seeing that it was almost quarter to five.

"Man... I gotta go. I'll see ya guys tomorrow."

And with that, Joey left, leaving five bewildered friends and a half-eaten pizza.

"What's up with him?" Tristan asked with a raised eyebrow.

Yugi smiled at his counter part when he entered the room, seeing the elder on top of his bed, sorting through his deck. He discarded his backpack by his door, while shutting it after he entered.

"Hi," the small teen smiled as Yami looked up, his look of concentration changing into a warm smile.

"Was your day alright?" Yami asked as he watched the small teen shed his jacket and undo some buttons on his shirt. Yugi didn't miss the slight hint of concern in the other's voice, causing him to stop his actions to observe the pharaoh closely.

"It was great," Yugi reassured, moving to sit on top of his bed. Yami gently pushed aside his deck, and pulled the small teen to him, embracing him and pressing their bodies together tightly. Yugi didn't resist in the slightest, and hugged his lover back, wrapping his arms around his neck and leaning his head on the other's strong shoulder. Sensing the other's anxiety, Yugi squeezed his arms comfortingly.

"I'm fine, Yami, don't worry so much. Nothing happened." Yugi whispered to his lover from his shoulder, reassuring the concern he felt the other held. Yami relaxed, trusting his young lover's words completely, and kissed the teen's shoulder beneath him. He knew that he'd instantly know if anything serious happened through their connection, but for some unknown reason, Yami needed the reassurance personally and from the voice of his young love to believe it.

"I'm sorry for worrying..." Yami began to apologize, but Yugi, still not moving from their embrace, interrupted him before he could go any further.

"Don't be sorry, Yami. I don't mind."

Yami smiled a small, secret smile, before pulling back to look Yugi in the face.

"And everyone else? Are they alright?" he asked, still adamant about his earlier feeling.

"Everyone's fine." Yugi reassured with a loving smile. "Joey was late, but that's just because his clock stopped, like ours."

Yami frowned at this, "His clock stopped as well? That's quite coincidental, wouldn't you agree?"

Yugi moved off of Yami and the bed, continuing to remove his school uniform. "Yeah," he spoke casually now, "But what's even stranger is that his stoped at the exact same time ours did. 3.21 am..." The teen had changed into his casual shirt and was now unbuttoning his school pants. Yami frowned deeply at those words, and stood up from his sitting position on Yugi's bed.

"3.21 am?"

"Yeah... Tea thinks it might have been caused by an electrical wave or something..." he spoke absent-mindedly as he changed his pants.

Yami walked over to the window again, and looked out into the city's view. The day was still bright; the weather was still perfect, and not a thing seemed out of place. The pharaoh narrowed his eyes. He was sure that it wasn't an electrical wave that he felt during the night...

TBC