I have decided to abandon my formal decision. It's no use. I love writing, so i'll write when ever i see fit. Or get to it. So FORGET what i said before. This story will CONTINUE!

Chapter 3
Water Logged: - Talk

"Oi! Kaiba! Wait up!"

Naturally the brunette would have not stopped for anyone. But that voice . . . It was Joey's. His mind kept telling him to keep walking and ignore the mutt, but his heart was lying on the other side of the fence. Kaiba did one thing that surprised everyone. Even himself. He stopped.

Well I didn't know what or how to state it. But clearly seeing the male stopped kind of surprised me. Even if I didn't know him, I felt like I had an attachment with the older teen. Well, I think he is older anyway.

I ran up to the tall male and came to a halt behind him. "What is it mutt?"

I dunno if it was me or the other self of me. Did that make sense? But it really, really made me angry!

"Who are ya callin Mutt! Moneybags!" I clenched my fists about to jump him. But something held me back. No it wasn't the feeling that I had in my gut. The one about "he'll kill you if you start a fight", but a hand was on my elbow. A small hand. I looked down and faced a kid with the hair of sparklers. Well, they could have been. I raised an eyebrow.

"Joey, you really shouldn't start a fight. He isn't worth it."

"Who are you?" The kid seemed to stare at me. He really must have been the shy one, because he shifted from side to side a little before looking at the ground. He muffled something I could barely hear. "What?"

"Yugi. Yugi Moto."

Now why does that name sound familiar? "Do I know you?" The boy shrugged, "How do you not know me knowing if I know you?" Yugi raised his head. A thin smiled quirked at his lips as he shrugged again.

"I know you, but we just haven't talked in while."

"What do ya mean you know me, and why haven't we talked? You sound like a pretty nice kid an'-" All was going to be the next word out of my mouth. But I decided against it. My world had already been turned upside down and now I am living to try and fine out who this "Tristan" person was. But seeing the backpack on the small person's back, I finally realized that he wasn't just an ordinary kid. But a high school teenager. "Sorry man, didn't know that you were- Did you say your name was Yugi?"

He nodded.

"Of course it is, did you really think-" Yugi sent a glare to Kaiba behind me. It was a silencing one. Since when did he take orders for the midget? I mean, um….small person? I had always known to take orders from our elders, but from a kid that was half your size and maybe half your intellect, (big burn) I would have not taken the order.

This kid has spiky hair. Just like- my hand went for my closed pocket. Was it him? Could it really be him? It's not really impractical, but being possible was almost impossible! Ok ok…that was too far fetched. But Yugi, he said his name was, could have been someone else.

I turned around. Kaiba was still standing there like a statue. He was staring at Yugi, while Yugi held eye contact as well. They were speaking the unspeakable. No words escaped their mouths before Yugi turned back to me.

"Sorry, but-"

"No. I have to go…now." I quickly turned and ran off. Today just wasn't my day, was it? Sprinting towards the back of the school, I took refuge under a Sakura tree. I leaned against it and slid down the truck. It's just like last night. Again, I am alone. I don't know why I am here or what happened to me. It's like a one-way mirror. Everyone can see me, but I am being blocked and can't see anything from my point of view. I stared at the grass. "Why can't I remember Tristan? I know very little of Yugi…But….argh!" I slammed my fist into the ground. "Nothing makes sense!" I stared at the grass. Pulling my hand back I stared at it. Bits of dirt and grass pieces stuck like tape. "Maybe I am going crazy. After all it- oof!"

Hands came out of nowhere. I was forced to my feet and slammed against the tree. All I could do was keep my eyes on the blues ones a few inches away from me. I almost dangled like a rag doll.

"Joey, I am sick and tired of this! What is wrong with you? You haven't been yourself for almost two days now!"

I was frightened. I didn't know what to do. I was shoved against a tree with the bark digging into my back and here I was speechless.

"You left Yugi in the dust. I usually don't give a crap, but when something is wrong, I improvise. It's my duty." Blue eyes stared into mine. "Answer me, Wheeler."

I opened my mouth. What was I supposed to say? If I didn't know better, I'd say I was a fish trying to breathe open air.

"Mutt….You have to the count of three."

"I-I…." I became silent. The fingers on my collar seemed to tighten. The lack of air was getting to me. And to think, all I wanted to do was ask him a few questions and then leave. I guess yelling "Oi! Kaiba!" across the schoolyard was not a good idea. I never have any high-quality plans anymore. They are mostly a bunch a mush. I would have shaken my head for my lack of skills, but the guy's hands were still locked there.

"Three."

More silence commenced. Of course I was gonna speak. But how can I?

"Two."

"OK! JUST let go!"

I hit the ground. Ouch! Looking up I faced the same brunette. He stood in front of me and waited for me to answer his questions.

"Kaiba . . .?" He stared at me intently. I had to look at my hands before I could begin, "Have you ever felt like your whole world was just an act. Played out to make you forget the next day?"

Kaiba kept his face neutral, "No."

"How about, you know one thing and the next you have completely forgotten who you are and why you are here. Along with not knowing who your friends even are? Or were…."

"Yes." His voice was rough and cut short to the point.

I became interested. After I barely knew the guy, "How?"

"Mutt, I am not going to explain myself to my board of directors, and I certainly won't explain myself to you….Your thick head won't comprehend it."

I huffed, "Jerk." In response, Kaiba smirked. He took a spot next to the tree and leaned against where I was formally thrown against by him. I drew my knees to my chest and started to pick at the grass. It was still dewy from last night's rain. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did." I was about to retort but Kaiba beat me, "Go ahead and ask again."

He didn't seemed to be this nice when I first knew him . . . .Whoa! Where did that come from? I mean, I don't….yes I do. But I don't remember. I hate that word now….remember ….pish-posh! All of it!

I turned towards Kaiba, "I don't know what happened to me. I don't remember my past very well. I do, but I don't. I have a past with no friends in it. But I have a picture to prove I did." I reached into my pocket grudgingly and pulled it out. Handing it to the brunette I continued, "All I know is what happened that particular moment. Nothing else."

The CEO took the photo from my hand. He stared at it intently.

"Wheeler, you realize that this photo was taken the very day you disappeared."

I stared at him perplexed. "What are you talking about! How can I disappear when I have been here the whole time!" I grabbed the picture and stuffed it back into my pocket. I know it was safe there.

"You didn't know…I mean come on Joey! You came back a couple of days ago pretending that nothing happened! You disappeared for two damn weeks! How can you forget everyone!" Kaiba sucked in some breath and let it out slowly, "Mutt, everyone has been too scared to walk up to you. Yugi's frightened beyond all reason. He's afraid you hate his guts because you got into a fight the day you disappeared. And he blames himself for what happened.

"Tristan doesn't even know you are here. He's been gone for a couple of days too. Plus you ignore everyone. And I am beginning to think you are turning into someone I know. A cold-hearted jerk or an ice cube as some people might say…"

I couldn't believe my ears. He was mentioning himself like no care in the world. My eyes followed the male as he took a few steps from the tree. His back faced me, "So what did you do? I mean Yugi is terrified…Tristan's not here…what did you do?"

He quickly turned around, "I am here talking to you…I think that counts as something."

"You are not cold Kaiba." I completely said it out of the blue! His eyes widened, "Yeah, you may be an ass sometimes, but I know that you care…" my eyes faltered when his did.

"I have to go. Class is going to start." The brunette started to walk off before I could say anything. I watched his back as he held his head high with dignity. It was like we never even talked.

"So," I whispered to myself, "It's just you and me, with no memories. Why didn't my dad tell me….How can I just disappear for two weeks?" I got up slowly, barely registering that the bell rang to go to class. I didn't feel like going.

I trudged down the hall, about to open the door to the class room, when I was pulled off to the side – Not again . . .

"Joey…I have been looking all over for you!"

Tristan? . . .

I actually spoke this time,"Tristan?"

"Of course it's me. Who else were you expecting?"

"Do I have to answer that?" My mind went directly to Kaiba.

He raised a brow, "Where were you this morning! You ran out of my house like a dog with its tail between its legs!"

I narrowed my eyes, who said he could call me a dog? About to growl I was pulled from the wall by somebody else.

"Pencil head, didn't anyone tell you not to mess dogs. They could bite and give you rabies."

I growled, "I am not a dog Kaiba." I spat. And what was he doing here anyway? He was supposed to be in class five minutes ago. Or at least he left for one. "Let go of my arm!" I tried to pull but the circulation in my arm suddenly decreased. "Ow! For Goodness sakes – Let. Go." He smirked at me and gazed at Tristan. Anger was evident and so was 'back-off-or-you'll-have-to-deal-with-me' look. The brown-eyed teen took the hint.

"I-I'll see you later, Joe." He took off in the other direction of the classroom.

"I didn't know he was back…"

I burst out of Kaiba's grip, "What the hell was that!" I stared at him. I was irritated and annoyed. Tristan hasn't talked to me in ages…well more than two weeks, I don't know who he is, and that was the perfect time to ask him some questions or anything else I wanted to know! But NO! Kaiba had to intervene! The pathetic, arrogant nincompoop!

Landing my hands on my hips I stared at him in annoyance, "Well?"

He gazed at me. Not even fazed a little. Maybe I wasn't intimidating. Only if I could just wrap my hands around his neck and strangle him to death, and then bring him back to life to suffer the wrath of Joey Wheeler, with my awesome and intolerable-

a couple of punches to the face will do. It didn't really matter right now.

"I needed to talk to you."

I steamed, "About WHAT!" I threw my hands in the air, "What could you possibly talk to me about that is this important to pull me away from Tristan and then threaten him?" I clenched my fists and stared at the brunette.

He opened his mouth to say something. But nothing came out. I started to pace back and forth in front of Kaiba.

"Just great! First I got stuck with some lame psycho for two weeks and then Kaiba who looks like a fish right now!" I stopped. I did not just say that?

Kaiba finally had the guts to speak, "What did you say?" I turned around and faced him. Wide-eyed, I gazed at his face.

"Lame psycho…," I barely whispered, have been…kidnapped and not remember?" I gazed intently into Kaiba's face. No expression was evident in his face. Neutral. It was always neutral! What the heck is wrong with this guy! My eyes found their way towards the ground. I was stuck in a loophole that was never ending: new beginnings and never endings of questions.

"Wheeler…is there something you are not telling me…Us?"

I shook my head. NO! I swear I look back and can't think of anything that happened to me . . . Looking up I caught the CEO's gaze, "Us?"

"Your father, Yugi, Me, Tristan, the police."

I like how he threw me in there real quickly . . . Note the sarcasm…

"Answer me Mutt."

Right . . . Ok, just answer the guy and we can get to class. "Uh, yeah about that . . .I dunno."

His eyes narrowed at me. Ohboy, here we go again . . . the stare of his, really gets old."What do you mean 'I dunno', Wheeler?" he hissed. I guess he is livid now. Should I answer? To answer, or not to answer; that is the question! Kaiba took a step while I was contemplating my little situation. I didn't notice until he almost had me cornered between him and the locker behind me. His eyes are like slits from a cat. A very angry cat. If there was anything else I could say about him, but I better answer his question before he-

"Well?" Kaiba growled.

I took a breath, "I kind of remember something…" before I could say anymore, the brunette already had me by the wrist and dragged me outside. Literally. He slammed me into the seat of a bench on school grounds.

"Explain."

Why does he want to know so badly? I stared at him. He definitely was an odd fellow. Taking my eyes off Kaiba I stared passed him. I fixed my eyes on the fence that was more than a fifty feet away. I parted my lips slightly to answer his statement . . .

"Alright guys I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Ah, come on Joe! Let's go to the park one last time before you have to go to work!"

I sighed… "Fine." I reluctantly followed the rest of the gang towards the park.
xxx

"Who let the dog into the park without his leash? Last I heard this was a 'No Dogs' park." The infamous smirk was sent towards me. It took me a couple of breaths - in through the nose…out through the mouth - before I calmed down enough to not punch him. That didn't stop me from actually retorting, "Alright Kaiba. Two can play at this game. Last I heard, they let humans into this park. And considering you, you're a robot and not to mention an," I put my hands into quotations in the air, "Adult, and to old for this playground!"

Kaiba rolled his eyes, "Nice comeback. When you actually find one, give me a call. And if you really want to know, Mokuba is here."

"Alright guys! Everyone gather around the bench!"

I clenched my eyes closed. Hoping that this wasn't a setup….

"Wait, where's Ryou…?" Yugi glanced around with worry.

"Hold on a sec. Ya'll planned this?"

"YUP!" Mokuba shinned with a smile as Tristan piped up, "I'll go get them. They said they will be meeting us at the fountain." He took off without a look behind him.

They….anyone want to clue me in…..

I watched him, "So, Yug, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I know that you hate getting your picture taken."

"WHAT! Picture? Ah…Yug…" I turned away from him. I knew a little anger and hurt was evident in my eyes, but what I didn't know was I turned to face Kaiba….bad idea

"Is the little puppy upset?"

The stupid jerk was mocking me! My head snapped up, "Watch it Kaiba, or I'll be sending you home!"

"Tristan is back! Hurry everyone by the bench!" Mokuba stood and took out the camera while in action. I trudged towards the bench and stood behind it.

"This better be a good shot or else…" I rubbed my eyes before I brought my head back up and opened them. The sunlight blinded my eyes. Right in front of me sat Tea and Ryou Bakura. Kaiba stood scowling a few feet away from the bench as I stared at him. Before I could say anything, Tristan came up behind me and caught me in a head lock.

"Yo Joey! How come the rich snob is still here?" He dug his knuckles into my head.

"MERCY! Aww come on Trist! Let go!" I grunted against his jacket as he let me go. I ran my hand through my hair hoping to mess it up more.

"Hey Joey! Pay attention!" I looked up. Mokuba stood fifteen feet away from all of us with a camera. "Setoooooooooo!" Mokbua groaned, "Pleeeease at least SIT on the bench!" Kaiba seemed to grunt in a reply before sitting on the very edge. I smiled. That's Kaiba for ya. "Alright everyone! AT the count of three, everyone says: CHEESE!" Mokuba brought the camera to his eyes, "One! …. Two! …. THREE!"

"CHEESE!" laughter could be heard like echoing hyenas.

The light blinded my senses as I stared blindly into outer space.

"JOEY!"

I jumped and latched onto the closest thing to me. My eyes widened. I didn't think the object would be a living person. Let alone…. (gulp – I am dead) Kaiba. I immediately let go. Alright where were we, "I remember going to the park…getting there…and um…that is it. I guess the whole psycho thing just popped out…"

"Things just don't 'pop out' Mutt. Either you say them or you don't."

"Um…." My head went spinning before I actually got a good look at Kaiba's face. I don't remember him having a twin….I blinked. That didn't really work…I tried again. That was before I actually saw spots in my vision that I held my head in my hands. This just wasn't working out.

"My head…." Its like a live washing machine!

"Wheeler?" Was that sincerity that I hear? Totally not like-

I can't remember at the moment. Give me a second.

I leaned into my hands as my elbows dug into my knees. I could feel a hand on my shoulder before the space on my right became occupied. Guess who?

Kaiba placed a hand on my back as I clenched my eyes closed. I didn't realize it, but I was leaning all my weight into Kaiba. He was rubbing my backside as I groaned with aggravation.

"Joey, what's wrong?"

My head felt like a bowling ball – just spinning down the alley before it hits the pins. Oh great….A migraine. How convenient.

"Give me your hand."

I thrust it at him without taking my left hand away from my eyes. How come all of the sudden I am nauseous? That never happens. Not unless I fall down the stairs or something.

I felt a pain in my right hand between my thumb and pointer finger.

"What the heck! Kaiba that hurts!" He pinched harder, "Gosh dang-it! Let go!" I yanked my hand away. As I did I stood up and growled at him, "What was that for!" He raised an eyebrow before he half-smiled.

"Better?"

"No! Now my hand hurts and my he-" I paused. The pounding stopped. Surely, him (Kaiba) pinching my hand kept me from concentrating on my head? "Thanks…I guess…"

"You were saying…"

"I remember the park and-"

I collapsed.

I have decided to abandon my formal decision. It's no use. I love writing, so i'll write when ever i see fit. Or get to it. So FORGET what i said before. This story will CONTINUE!

I know that it was shorter than the last chapter. But I hope that you got more interested with this chappie. If you have any suggestions, do tell! I have writers block! And a bad case of it!

Pleez review!

FaVeiwers:

Kumori Sakusha formerly Saelbu
Misura
Scoodoo58