Disclaimer: Don't own it…yet plots

Ok I know I probably have pissed someone off for the long wait for this chapter….so I apologize. I just haven't had any ideas of what this chapter should be…and I would rather wait until I had ideas…than to write a load of crap. XD. So ermm enjoy and review!

Chapter 3: This new Life

It was the end of another day at Domino, and Jounouchi was once again the talk of the school. With the help of Kaiba, and the need to prove himself, Jounouchi has been able to bring up his grades and GPA drastically. Everyone has been in an uproar about this, and has bombarded the poor blonde with questions. Naturally, Jounouchi didn't wish to spill his secrets to other people, and no one dared to ask Kaiba. The school had also noticed that Jounouchi and Kaiba spent an awful lot of time together, and they haven't fought with each other in days. Jounouchi felt so much happier with himself since he's gotten himself together at Domino. He didn't act loud and uncouth like he normally did. He was quieter, worked diligently, was on time for class, and respected the teachers. This worried Yugi, Tristan, and Tea. None of them has been able to talk with the blonde for quite some time. He's been spending too much time with Kaiba, in their opinion, and is worried that Kaiba is doing something to hurt Jounouchi.

Jounouchi stood by his locker, putting his books into his book bag. Kaiba stood next to him reviewing what tests Jounouchi has coming up, when he noticed Jounouchi's friends staring at the both of them. Kaiba smirked in their direction and enjoyed watching Tristan redden in anger. 'So they must think I'm doing something to Jounouchi…what fools' He thought as he turned his attention back to Jounouchi whom was watching him with inquisitive hazel eyes. "Something wrong Kaiba, you looked like you were off in space or something…" Kaiba shook his head but smirked anyway as he saw Jou's friends come in their direction. "No I am alright…but your friends have been watching us. They're coming over right now." Jounouchi sighed hoping his friends wouldn't confront him so soon, and turned to them when they arrived.

Tristan glared at Kaiba before turning his gaze to Jounouchi. Yugi spoke up before Tristan could say anything rude. "Hey Jou, all of us are meeting up with Otogi, Mai, and Ryou to go to the new arcade around my house…we were hoping you could come." Yugi smiled up at Jounouchi with slightly pleading eyes. Jounouchi sighed inwardly not knowing what to say, but he knew he had obligations with Nasaki, and Kaiba as well. He shifted uncomfortably for a minute before speaking. "Sorry guys, but I will have to decline. I got some stuff to do today." Jounouchi nodded to Kaiba, and the two made their way to the stairway to leave, but Jou was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "What the hell is wrong with you Jou!" Tristan nearly yelled at the blonde. "You never spend time with us Jou…is everything ok?" Tea whispered.

Jounouchi stared down at the hand still on his shoulder, and lightly shook it off. "Look guys, I have things I have to do. I'm sorry if I'm not around anymore…but it's because I'm busy now" Yugi nodded and moved closer to Jounouchi. "Well after you're done with what you have to do after school…you can still join us." The petite boy offered, only to be declined again. "I can't guys. Kaiba and I have stuff to do after that…maybe over the weekend." Tristan grabbed Kaiba by the collar, and was met with a death glare but ignored it. "This is your fault. You're probably blackmailing him to get him to do what you want…you filthy bastard!" Tristan yelled. Kaiba easily pried the boy's hands of his shoulder, and tightened his grip on them until Tristan was in pain.

"Now look here you morons…Jounouchi has more important things to do than to play in an arcade like a 7 year old. He's not the Jounouchi you think you know, and if you can't handle that…than tough." Kaiba growled before letting go of Tristan's hands. Jounouchi could feel everyone's gaze on him, and he reddened. He didn't want to be caught in the middle of everything, but sadly he was. Now, he had to choose. It would have to be either his friends, or Kaiba and everything he offered Jounouchi. Sad Hazel eyes looked into each of his friends own orbs. Life just wasn't fair at all.

"I know you guys are worried about me, but you don't have to anymore. I can take care of myself, and Kaiba isn't hurting me or anything. He's helping me…and I'm sorry that you can't understand that." Jounouchi turned quickly and began to make his way down the stairs, not wanting to meet the dejected faces of his now former friends. Kaiba and Jounouchi got inside the waiting limo, and sat in silence. Jounouchi stared out of the window with sad eyes. 'I didn't mean for this to happen, but Yugi and the others need to understand…if I don't change now, I'll never be somebody' Jounouchi turned to Kaiba who had been staring out of the window as well.

"They'll get over it I'm sure" Jounouchi said with a small smile. Kaiba looked at Jounouchi and nodded. "Well going to another subject…will I be your visitor at Nasaki today or what?" Jounouchi blinked in surprise. He knew he could have visitors with him during school, but he never imagined Kaiba would ever want to do it. Aside from being impressed with Jou, Kaiba never let on he wanted to see first hand what the boy was capable of. This day just seems to become more and more surprising. "Sure you can be my visitor…I just never thought you would want to" Jounouchi beamed brightly at the CEO. He had to admit, he was sort of excited for this. Kaiba could finally see what gifts Jounouchi possessed. The limo pulled up in front of the notorious school, and the two teens stepped out. "Well…let's go before I'm late." Jounouchi said as the two entered the building.

Kaiba didn't say much most of the day, but Jounouchi was too busy concentrating on his work to notice. Everyone in the school had been shocked to have Seto Kaiba as a visitor in their school, not knowing Jounouchi went to the same school with the CEO. Kaiba watched Jounouchi work diligently on some work during AP calculus, hazel eyes focused through he brown rimmed glasses. This new Jounouchi was hard to get used to, but Kaiba felt sort of proud of Jounouchi. If there was one thing Kaiba hated, it was those who were lazy. He hated people who didn't try to make their life better, or at least meet half way. He used to believe Jounouchi was exactly like that, but he could see he was wrong. Jounouchi turned to Kaiba in question, having finished the work a little earlier than the other students. "Bored yet? Don't worry though, after this I only have art. That's a pretty fun class" Jounouchi said with a smile. Kaiba smirked. "I never pinned you as the artistic type Jounouchi." Jou laughed quietly and nodded.

"Yeah…but you never pinned me as being the smart type either." Kaiba shrugged knowing now that he couldn't stereotype Jounouchi anymore, everything seems like a complete surprise now. Once AP calculus was over, Jounouchi led Kaiba to the art classroom where only 4 more students were in. Kaiba blinked at the small class size and turned to Jounouchi to explain. "Well most of the kids here, aren't the artistic type I guess." Jounouchi said with a shrug as he sat down with his art supplies. "So this is more of an independent class than?" Jou nodded. "Unless we have a test or something" Kaiba nodded and watched as Jounouchi began to sketch. "I finally figured out what you will be doing while you work for me." Jounouchi stopped sketching immediately and turned his attention to Kaiba.

"I figured that since your intelligence is highly above average, yet you still have a good idea of what most people want…I think I'll put you in charge as what I like to call, a Public Advisor. Other than your previous financial issues, you live the average life." Jounouchi nodded knowing this was true. He was a pretty average guy…he guessed.

"So I figure you know what most people like in games. Your job will be to collect data and personal statements on what the average person likes in gaming. This I will use to create games for the public. You will also have to keep track of how the sales are going to see if my products are indeed making money." Kaiba looked to Jou in question as if asking did he approve, not that it mattered. "Wow…I figured I would just be filling papers the whole time, of course I will do my best." Jounouchi mock saluted. Kaiba nodded. "Good, we will get you started right after school." Jounouchi grabbed his books and stood up. "Well this is my free class in a way, so I can always leave early. So let's just leave now."

The two left Nasaki and was off to Kaiba Corp, passing the Kami Game Shop in the process. Jounouchi could see Yugi and the others talking before walking into the game shop. Jounouchi hoped that they will be able to get over his absence. Once they arrived at Kaiba Corp, they went straight to the CEO's office. "This is a large building with many floors, so I'm going to put you in the office down the hall. There are 4 other people who work on this floor now, so they should be able to assist you if I'm not able." Jounouchi nodded as they entered what was now Jou's new office. It wasn't as large as Kaiba's, nothing too surprising. It was a nice little office that Jounouchi found to be almost charming.

"For the moment I just want you to get yourself situated and familiarize yourself with the laptop I provided, you will be needing it most of your time working. I will return in 20 minutes." Kaiba announced as he departed. 15 minutes went by, and Jounouchi was really getting the hang of the laptop he now had. At the corner of his mind, he wondered what the future held for him. This job will pay very well, and he will eventually be able to leave his father's apartment and get a new one, but what about college? 'I have always wanted to go…I could go to almost any one In Japan with my grades. But I don't even know what I want as a career.' Jounouchi sighed, as he pushed these thoughts into the back of his brain. When he looked up he jumped in surprise. Standing in the doorway, was a young male about two or three years older than Jounouchi. He had black hair, and black eyes to match. He looked at Jounouchi with a blank look before walking further into the room. It was then he noticed that behind the boy, stood two other people. One was a red haired young lady and the other, a green haired older male.

"So you must be new here…I saw you a couple of days ago with Mr. Kaiba. I'm Satoshi Hanajima." Jounouchi made his way to shake the boy's hand, but was surprised when the other refused. "Oh I'm Katsuya Jounouchi…you can call me Jou for short." He said with a friendly smile, but was met with a frown from the boy. "Don't get too comfy here Jou. You wont last too long if I had anything to say about it." Jounouchi was taken aback by the boy's attitude and almost severe dislike. He didn't even do anything, and he was already making enemies. The red haired girl chuckled. "Toshi You're only mad because he just got here, and he already took the job you wanted." Satoshi glared at the red head but smirked darkly at Jou.

"Yes that may be true, but I have every right to be mad. It isn't fair. I have been working here for a long time and it was my turn to have that job. I don't see what Mr.Kaiba sees in you anyway because I saw you when you first came in. You're nothing but filthy street trash, and trust me I will be having your spot. Mr. Kaiba will see what he hired, and fire you immediately. We all know what you are, we saw your files." Jounouchi stared down at his hands, red with embarrassment. Now everyone knew how worthless he was, how much he hated himself, how much he-. "I think that's enough Mr. Hanajima" Jounouchi's thoughts were cut short, by a voice in the door way. Satoshi turned in horror to see Kaiba standing behind him.

"M...Mr. Kaiba…I was just ermm…welcoming our new employee to Kaiba Corp...That's all Sir." Satoshi stammered fearing for his job. Kaiba glared down fiercely at the trembling boy. "Liar, I heard you're whole speech. I do not tolerate anyone who treats their fellow employees in such a manor. You also went into Jounouchi's files, which is against company policy. So you know what comes next…your fired. I want you gone." Satoshi threw himself on his knees in front of the CEO. "Please Mr. Kaiba, I need this job. I have a family to feed." Kaiba shook his head and glared more at the boy. "You should have thought of that earlier. Now get out." Satoshi shook his head and continued to grovel.

"Wait…" Jounouchi said as he stood up. Kaiba glanced up in surprise. "Don't….fire him. I know what he did was out of order, and against company policy…but I know what its like to need a job to keep your ahead above water. It sounds stupid, but please don't fire him Kaiba." Hazel eyes stared into blue pleadingly. Kaiba battled with himself for a minute before sighing. "Fine. Satoshi you have been spared. I suggest you thank Jounouchi for this. But be aware, I will not be merciful again. So it would be in your best interest to play nice with Jounouchi. If he tells me you have been harassing him, you will be fired. That's a promise. You're dismissed."

Satoshi scrambled of the floor, thanked Jounouchi and ran out the room with the other two in tow. Kaiba turned back to Jounouchi who sat in his chair dejected. "I know, it was dumb of me to do that. Now everyone knows about me…I cant' work here. If people find out you have people like me working for you…it might bring you down. I don't want that." Kaiba glared.

"Jounouchi shut up." Jou looked up at Kaiba with slightly watery eyes. Kaiba leaned against the desk. "People talk Jounouchi. You already know this. When they can't have what you have, they will do anything to bring you down. Don't let them do that to you. You have come too far, and been through too much for bastards like Satoshi to do shit like that to you….do you understand me?" Jounouchi sniffed wiped his tears, and nodded. "Yes, thank you so much" Kaiba nodded before getting up. "Alright than, I have my first job for you. I want you to look at these sketches and description of these game consoles I have blueprinted. Review than, and give me your honest opinion. I want these done by tonight." Kaiba said as he left the office leaving Jounouchi in awe. Jounouchi thought about what Kaiba just said to him and smiled. Maybe working the infamous Seto Kaiba wouldn't be so sad. With that in mind, Jounouchi set off to work.

End chapter.

Alright, that's over with XD. Ok now I bet some of you are wondering…where the hell is Mokuba? Well in the next chapter you will find out about what is wrong with him. And when Jou finds out, tings get a little bit turbulent between him and Seto. He even gets fired…for a little while XD. So stay turned, review, and Ja ne!