Right. So. No long introduction this time - only my thanks, whatever they're worth. Firstly, thank you to everyone who's bothered to click on the link to this story – whether it was accidentally or whether you were actually interested in whatever was stirring in the story's depths. Secondly, and mostly, I suppose, thank you to fallen-angel-of-repression, who actually bothered to write a reply (and one that held me in a decent light, at that).

So, thank you all. And, without much further ado, I present to you Chapter Two of Shadows like Statues.

Chapter Two: Wait for No One

Warnings: Language, sarcasm, and all out hatred. And maybe some sexual tension thrown in for good measure.

To Jounouchi Katsuya it came as no surprise to arise from yet another night of restless slumber to discover the house utterly devoid of life. The blonde man was more than used to waking up without the comforting embrace and warm touch of a partner or the sanguine call of "Good morning", but both aspects still would have been pleasant - pleasant reminders that life isn't always hidden in pools of shadows or the undergarments of a devastating prostitute. As it was, however, he wandered the aging halls of Katsuya Manor in ill attempt to stumble upon a note that might have been left by last night's phantom.

Maybe it had been a dream – in all honesty, it wouldn't have been surprising if his imagination had created the whole illusion to keep him company. This conclusion was only doubted by the less-than-adequate note Jounouchi had found lying innocently on the pale pillow that had been used before by a strange presence.

13KJC01M194

After a brief muttering of "What the fuck" Jounouchi had crumpled the note in his fist and deposited it in the trashcan beside the bed – the bed where he fancied he could detect the previous form of the other. The slight indents formed by the lean body, the tired scent worn by the travel-torn man: it was all there. Or he was just going crazy. But the note, that was what kept him sane. As far as he knew, phantoms were not capable of writing – or even locating a pen and paper.

Maybe he was wrong, though, he mused as he made the commute to work; suit crisp and eyes flashing dangerously at the people he passed by. Some skirted around him, their eyes plastered to the floor and breathing irregular, while others offered a grin and a wink that sent blood pounding to nether regions of his body and a faint blush to his cheeks. Upon entering the impressive building of Kaiba Corporation Jounouchi had, for the most part, successfully banished the urge to grab whoever walked by and pound them into oblivion – nearly, as stated. Any slight brush up of an unfamiliar person sent shivers down his spine and sweat upon his brow.

It was going to be a long day.

"Fuck this!" A long day, indeed. As the man attempted to press in his password "error messages" kept popping up on the computer screen that faced him. Now this was embarrassing: the owner of a company not even able to get into his own building. Again, though, what the fuck? At least, the man reasoned, no one was there to observe him in his moments of trial and error – ever since computers more accurate than humans had come along Seto Kaiba had set about systematically dropping employees. Floor by floor. Needless to say, Floor One was devoid of human life – all the way up to Floor Seventy-Seven. Jounouchi had made it so those working on floors any higher up couldn't be fired. It was, after all, his company, too.

Pounding in endless combinations of numbers and letters an aggravated sigh emitted from the pursed lips of the company owner, his face forming a scowl and his eyes darkening with every passing moment. As soon as this look had intensified, however, it had been lost – the scowl changing into a look of defeating and his body rocking forward and leaning on a nearby wall for support – shit like this always happened to guys like him. Always. There had to be a book about it somewhere – he was sure of it.

"When'd the password even change?" he muttered under his breath, long fingers massaging his temples to decrease the throbbing sensation that was rushing through him. "And why wasn't I told?" Yes, he had meant to voice these comments to himself, but it seemed that another was present. How irritating – and yet, oddly fortunate.

"Because you weren't present." Pause. "I believe you were still sleeping."

"Well," snapped the blonde, anger lining his body as he turned to face the smug countenance of Kaiba, "I don't see you in any meetings presently – so you must be late, as well." Lies, all lies – and, worst of all, Jounouchi knew it. Kaiba had never been one to enjoy idle time and simply "dawdle" about. Oh no. For that statue, time was money. And money was time. Figure that one out.

"Oh, Katsuya, don't fool yourself. I was merely coming to collect you – a job no one else seemed up to," Kaiba drawled on arrogantly, victory flooding into his eyes as he scanned the defeated form of his high school rival. "Ambrosius Melkor made it seem as if you were the bane of his – and the company's - existence. Isn't that interesting?" The rhetorical question made Jounouchi frown; he had never gotten along with the Vice President of the company. And, as far as he cared to concern himself, he never would. As Jounouchi had kept his mouth shut, Kaiba continued without break, "I left a slip of paper with the password on it for you – did you not receive it this morning?"

Ah. Shit. "I – I didn't realize that was what the writing meant."

"Evidently."

"Fuck off, Kaiba."

"Reverting to old habits, Katsuya? Doubtless to say you don't expect me to do the same, unless you have no objection of my calling you "Mutt" in the board room, of course?"

As the heat pricked at Jounouchi's cheeks Kaiba merely laughed, a mirthless laugh, and strode over to the computer, typing in the password with diligent fingers. Of course now the door opened – of course Jounouchi would notice the haughty look on Kaiba's face. It was all too obvious.

Through the twisting corridors the two traveled, the blonde man trailing behind the other much like the "mutt" he was imagined to be. It was disgusting. These past six years he had been in utter control: his authority had not been checked. And now, now with the sudden reappearance of the one time owner and full time bastard Jounouchi had peacefully rolled aside and assumed the subordinate position. It was a position he assumed during the elaborate (and exceedingly dull) meetings and various conferences. On and on and on – finally, however, they came to an end.

A sharp tap on his shoulder alerted to the dark eyed man that it was time to leave the office and (attempt) to rest at home – he doubted rest would be possible, especially with the likes of Seto Kaiba staying with him. But wait. Wait wait wait wait a minute – Kaiba wasn't staying with him. That was something to look forward to. Gracing the world with a grin Jounouchi cleared the seat of his body and jauntily walked to the door – only to find the elegant form of Kaiba blocking it.

"Outta my way, Kaiba."

"Are you growling at me, Katsuya?" the man asked, blue eyes narrowing in contempt. "Old habits are difficult to break, it appears," Kaiba mused, his attention breaking for Katsuya and exploring more intricate folds of his brain.

"Shuddap. What do you want?"

"To be with you."

"Huh?" Had he just heard Kaiba properly? No. No, he couldn't have. But wait. What?

"To stay with you. And do refrain from saying 'huh' like the imbecile you are – you head a company, act like it."

Oh, well, that changed things – perhaps he had imagined what Kaiba had seemed to, at first, say. Or not. At the moment, he couldn't have been sure. "Shuddap." An arched brunette eyebrow in response. "Fine. Shut up. Shut the fuck up, you fucking bastard. You think you can disappear for six years and all of a sudden come back into my life? It's not that easy."

"You make it sound as if we had a personal relationship, Katsuya," Kaiba noted calmly, sending fire to rise to the cheeks of the blonde.

"I – what? Shut up." Was all that Jounouchi managed to choke out. The poor boy didn't even bother to ask Kaiba's intentions. For the moment, he'd just have to pretend like he wasn't curious. Even the littlest bit.

"I'll take that as a 'yes', then?"

"Whatever. Just, don't get in my way."

"As long as you stay out of mine," Kaiba responded, breezing out the door with the steps that Jounouchi had envied him for in earlier years – and still, most likely, envied him for.

Glowering in silence as Kaiba strode away Jounouchi finally moved from the boardroom, slowly making the way back to his home – extremely slowly, mark you. He had it in his mind to stop by a bar and bring back a partner or two, but he didn't want to pressure his new housemate. In fact, Jounouchi didn't even know why he had no desire to put any strain on Kaiba – it was an odd sensation, and one that he hoped would end quickly. After all, glances and slight touches were enough to excite him – he was disgusting. Like a fucking prostitute, himself. Perhaps with Kaiba around all that would end.

Or, perhaps, it would only get worse.

Yeah. Short, I know.

Thank you for reading Chapter Two of Shadows like Shadows – I really appreciate it. So. You read – and now you reply. Easy as pie, right? Well. Ok, no. You don't have to reply – that you read it is enough for me. Thanks again.

XXOO