A/N: Kaiba-centric… HARD. ;o;!

Nyaha, am on a writing spree! I'm posting this chapter 'cause I gots the plot down! XD! -dances- Anywho, I'm writing down the new plots I have in my head! Maybe I'll get the chance to post the next chapter earlier than expected! Thank you, Suikoden V! -huggles Roy plushie-

Warnings: Mild cursing, Shounen Ai, Possible OOC
Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own it.

Story Notes:

1) -.-.-Page Break-.-.-

Paint Me Love

Chapter Five: Empty Reasons

It doesn't feel right when you know it's supposed to, doesn't it?

The fact that a person you'd never thought you'd come to care about would just, in five seconds, decide to leave his friends and family.

But the weird thing is…

It feels uber wrong.

Kaiba, for once (or maybe twice) had never felt weak in his entire life.

Jounouchi, gone?

Katsuya, leaving?

Kaiba, affected?

Seto, caring?

Certainly, not right… right?

But, he can't do anything about it. Not now, not ever. It was Jounouchi's decision… not his; it never was and never will be his.

Though he knew he could stop it. If he wanted to.

Sad, really… he didn't.

The CEO gave a frustrated sigh as he finished another document—but the reason wasn't because of the deadline. Actually, the new project wasn't really expected until next year—but that's another story. Anyway, he thought it would be the best way to keep the 'dog' out of his brain.

…Let the truth be told…

It wasn't really working.

Scratch that…

I wasn't working.

No matter what he does, all he can ever think about is Jou, the dog, gone for four years or more. It's supposed to be good.

Hell, it was supposed to be great!

But it wasn't.

It never was.

This must've been karma working its magic on him. Not that he believed in magic.

"Stupid Dog." Kaiba muttered as he typed a way another document.

Ever since he got back from the previous day, all he did was type and type—and maybe eat a little—deeply annoyed by the news.

And, of course, Mokuba noticed this.

"Stupid, ignorant Mutt…!" The brunet growled.

If no one knew Kaiba, seeing him slam his head onto the table top would look pretty normal, really. But sadly, he was a public figure. Mysterious, yes. But still, public.

So banging his head was an uber strange act.

That's why he didn't do it.

So instead, he slammed his fists onto the keyboard.

"Seto," His brother asked as the door swung open. "Are you alright?"

"Augh…" Kaiba replied, rubbing his temples. "No."

"Is it because of Jou?" Mokuba asked… in a somewhat… teasing tone.

The brunet hated it when his supposed-to-be-innocent brother would use that tone. It always meant that he knew something. And will, at any cost, use that information against the older teen.

"No, Mokie."

"Aw, come on!" Mokuba grinned. "Shizu told me everything!"

"Shizu?" The older one's eye brow rose. "Since when did you call Shizuka, 'Shizu'?"

"Not the point." The raven teen pointed out. "Anyway…"

Oh, God… he hated where this conversation was going.

"Is it true?" Mokuba asked. "Is Jounouchi really leaving?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"Why would I know?"

"Because you were with them yesterday!"

"It doesn't stand as a reason for me to give a—" Kaiba huffed, realizing that he had almost cursed in front of Mokuba. "That doesn't stand as a reason for me to know."

"Eh?" Mokuba faked a gasp.

He could see it. In his brother's eyes. The sadness.

Though, to the rest of the world, Kaiba's eyes were cold… Mokie… could easily read those blue orbs of his. Maybe because they're brothers. Or maybe because the CEO was just too predictable for the kid. Who knows?

But one thing still stands… the fact that Kaiba's eyes reflected sadness because of someone other than Mokuba leaving.

"Anyway, does he even know French?"

"Mokuba, please," Kaiba sighed. "I don't know. I don't know anything…! But, even if he doesn't, I'm sure he'll learn. We can't just under estimate him."

Mokuba grinned. It was rare for his brother to speak highly of Jou—actually; he never did speak of Jou highly.

"Mark this day as a milestone!" Mokuba announced. "For the day that Kaiba Seto spoke highly of his puppy!"

"Shove it." The older huffed. "That dog was never and will never be mine."

A blink or two.

Then another grin, except for, this time… it's wider.

A mischievous look all and all.

"Big brother," An uber scary innocent tone rang from the raven haired's lips rang. "Are you starting to like-like Jou?"

"No…!"

Grin.

Mokuba, one.

Seto, zero.

Gulp.

"Why be so over-protective?"

"I'm not being over-protective."

Grin. Again.

Mokuba, two.

Seto, zero.

Gulp. Again.

"I knew you have a thing for Jou's green eyes!" Mokuba exclaimed all too happily.

"His eyes are not green," Kaiba paused. "They're honey-brown."

Grin turned to smile.

Mokuba wins!

"I knew it! You liiiike him!" (1)

"I'm not the type to tell you this, Mokuba…" Kaiba replied. "Shut up. I know that you have full knowledge that I'm out."

"Yeah, I know. With Yami." Mokuba paused. "But what's the point of going out when it's not with someone you like?"

"Business."

Silence covered them.

And it seemed like disappointment filled the air.

Mokuba liked Yami as a friend, but not in the sense of wanting him to go out with his brother. He wanted someone to take the business out of the dating part—and the King of Games would surely attract the media, thus so many days of Seto being all but relaxed. The only person perfect for this was none other than Jou.

What?

The blond kept coming up in their frequent conversations.

Okay, maybe not in a good sense…

But, hey! It does keep Kaiba away from documents.

"You know," Mokuba whispered, breaking the silence. "You still have to work this out with him."

And with that, he left.

-.-.-

Kaiba's trench coat continued to defy gravity as he entered the school gates.

It was a Sunday…

And it meant work for the CEO…

But, let's just say… what Mokuba said the night before kept on haunting him in his dreams. And, thus, he needs to see and talk to Jou.

No matter what.

Ah, wonderful karma.

To Be Continued

A/N: Please review! -smiles-

(1) I got the lines from "Family Guy"! What? It was uber cute! xD! But I changed most of the words.