Sorry this one took so long. Thank you all for the reviews, I really appreciate it. I am off on sick leave for work (long story) so I will be able to do both my fanfics. This is just one part of chapter seven, but I hadn't updated in forever, I decided to post this one and then do the other one as chapter eight when it is done, that is why it is shorter. When reviewing this time, there are a few things I wouldn't mind. One is, I am debating whether to put a lemon in this story, so if you would include your opinion on that, it will be up to the readers to decide if they want one or not . Another thing is, if you want to add any ideas you have for this story, I will be more than happy to take them, and give credit. I will stop rambling on here for you can read. Hope you all like it!

Chapter Seven

"Did you find him?" Asked Melanie.

Kaiba thought for a bit. He found Jou indeed, but he was not exactly here. "Yes, I found him," he said, walking into his office.

"And?" Inquired Melanie.

"And what?" Snapped Kaiba, "I never thought that the business I do with people at my company was any of your business Melanie."

Melanie was slightly taken aback. She looked at him with cold eyes, and merely sat down.

Kaiba knew he had offended her, but he didn't care. Everything was messed up now. Jou was overly mad for some unknown reason, and he was still slightly behind on work he should have been doing for the tournament. And speaking of, the amount of work he had to do for it was overwhelming.

'This shouldn't bother me,' he thought 'since when have I even liked Jou? I should be relieved that he has finally left.' As much as he tried to push that into his mind, it still was not sticking. The fact was Jou and him became closer. Kaiba was never one to have friends, but he didn't mind having someone to talk to, that wasn't his little brother, or an office associate. If Kaiba did not know any better, he would have thought he missed the Mutt.

He slumped down on his leather chair, and looked ahead blankly.

Jou had taken the elevator to the main level of Kaiba Corp. and had run outside. He did not stop running, until he had passed a few blocks. He did not even realize it was raining, and his clothes at this time were thoroughly soaked. He looked behind him to see any trace of Kaiba, but the streets were almost empty. He shoved his hands in his jean pockets, and started to walk home. He could scarcely feel the collar that binded him to Kaiba rubbing against his neck.

The clouds reflected his mood. When he had left Seto in the hallway a few nights ago, he found himself, not enjoying the moment, but glad to be rid of conflict. He didn't think that a day, the old feuds that tied the two together would be back.

Jou ignored almost everyone the next few days. He simply went to school, and then went home. He had to be sneaky to avoid another encounter with Kaiba, which would most likely end in detention for the both of them.

Kaiba on the other hand, was keeping a very sharp eye out for Jou. He wanted to confront him again, but not at school, possibly after. Once, he thought he saw Jou walking down the hall, but a large group of people walked by him, and when they had passed, Jou had disappeared. It was also strange to see Seto Kaiba walking around the school halls, when everyone knew he didn't actually go. In the end, Kaiba had to give up his search, because he was almost sure that people were getting suspicious.

The Thursday dawned with darkened clouds, and by the afternoon, a steady rainfall had come to Domino.

For Jou, this meant walking home in the rain, and for Seto, it meant another gloomy day in the office.

At the time, Seto was looking blankly out his car window, he did not expect to see anyone on the puddle-filled streets. However, when he caught a glimpse of blonde hair, and a slanted walk, he know that had to be Jou. Kaiba felt sorry for him. His clothes and hair were soaking wet, and it was not exactly warm out.

"Stop the car," Kaiba said to the chauffeur. He got out into the rain and ran after Jou.

"Jou!" He shouted, "Jou!"

The blonde turned around, but upon catching sight of Kaiba, sprinted off in the opposite direction. Kaiba was fast on his heels, running in the rain, his vision slightly blurred.

Jou ran into an open park, as Kaiba did the same; the hem of his cloak was covered in little drops of mud, but he refused to give up chase. Suddenly, Jou turned around to face him.

"I asked you to leave me alone!"

The sky gave a rumble, and a flash of lightning illuminated overhead.

"I want to know what is wrong!" Kaiba half shouted, over the distant thunder, and the loud slap of rain.

Jou walked closer to him. "What, you are not going to pretend you have all the answers this time? The mighty Seto Kaiba is asking his slave for a clue?"

Kaiba stood infront if him. Water fell over Jou's head, making his hair stick to his scalp. Drops of water rolled across his cheeks, and over his lips.

"Don't mock me," said Kaiba.

"Fuck you," said Jou, "I am not taking orders anymore."

"What did I ever do to you?" queued Kaiba.

Jou gave a false laugh, and turned around in a half circle. "What did you ever do?" He said questioningly, "What didn't you do? Between the insults, treating my like an animal, and forcing me to serve you, in order for me to have some fun, I suppose we do have to question, what did Seto Kaiba do."

Kaiba did not say anything, but let the rain flow over his body.

Jou continued, "I mean, it isn't like you treated me human at all. Just rubbed it in my face on how much of a screw up I am. A nothing. Not worthy of walking on the same ground as you do. Well if that was the whole point in this organization, then here it is your majesty. I AM a screw up. I AM not going to amount to anything, except washing floors for people like you. I am a shitstain on society, and I might as well go kill myself now for the sake of saving resources for people like you. Is that what you wanted to hear?" He finished shouting, and the slight echo bounced off the tress in the park.

Kaiba was in thought for a moment, "That isn't what I meant at all Jou…"

Jou gave another one of his false laughs and rose his voice "So now my name is Jou? Not Mutt? What a pleasant change in heart."

"What is your deal!" Kaiba shouted back.

"I'll tell you what my deal is." Jou stepped closer to Kaiba. "I had a pretty fun stroll in your offices. I suppose I should have read that stupid contract of yours. Then, I would have seen the print saying 'I give consent to forfeit my place in the Battle City Tournament'. And then, I guessed that when the tournament actually DID start, you would whip out you handy contract and screw me over!"

Kaiba half-forgot about anything he added to that. It seemed like forever ago, and truth be told, he had every intention to put Jou in the tournament, after spending more time with him.

"No wonder you do not have any friends Kaiba, would you fuck them over to?"

"I don't have friend because I choose not to."

"More like you can't get them."

"Fine," said Kaiba, "I will forget about any fine print on the contract, and you can continue what you were doing with full access to the tournament."

"I would rather eat shit then spend another minute with you," said Jou. Water rolled over the collar he was wearing; "I don't want to be your slave anymore." He tried to tug off the collar, but it stayed on him.

Kaiba sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Like hell you are," spat Jou.

"You know, you are not exactly the nicest person either. You insult me as well as I insult you."

This was indeed true, though Jou did not have the chance to since he was in Kaiba's presence. Jou turned around, and slumped down on a bench. Kaiba walked over to him.

"If it even matters, I really am sorry."

"I know," said Jou, and he did. He could have guessed that Kaiba felt the same way Jou did. They both knew each other a bit more, and weren't exactly friends, but they did see each other as human, and not an object to ridicule.

Kaiba sat down beside him; "All I ever learned was to push people away from you, because they will pull you down with them. My step-dad had a view like everyone was an opponent, and that friends were there to hurt you. I didn't like that view."

"But you can't think that now," replied Joey, "I mean, you have to have the sense to see that that is not what it's about."

Kaiba rested his arms on his knees, and lowered his head, "What would you say, if that is what you have been taught your whole life?"

Jou almost pitied Kaiba. If it were not for Mokuba, he would have nothing except his company, and that was not a very good companion.

"You don't have to come anymore, I won't make you. You are right, I have been a jerk."

"You need to get out man," said Jou, "I think all this working junk is getting to your head. Why don't you go for a drink, or take a vacation?"

"I don't have the time," sighed Kaiba.

"How about I will continue to help you out, lord knows you need it, and we can be almost human to each other."

"That sounds good," said Kaiba.

"And now, will you take this stupid collar off?"

Kaiba gave a hearty laugh, "It really does go with your eyes. It looks good on you."

Jou stared coldly at him, "Take it off."

Kaiba leaned back on the bench. For once, he could almost forget the hectic lifestyle he lived, and just enjoy a conversation with the boy beside him. The rain came steadily down, but he didn't care.

Jou looked at the handsome CEO. Kaiba was starring towards the sky, while drops of water soaked through his chestnut hair and fell onto his slender neck.

Jou hid a grin, 'He isn't that bad I guess. Looks pretty good in the rain.'