Part Four

"Joey, any idea of where Kaiba might be?" Jono asked as the gang split up around mid-afternoon.

"Probably in his office, even though it's Sunday. Honestly, if not for Mokuba and Seto, Kaiba would probably live in his office, he's such a workaholic." As Joey mentioned Kaiba's location, an image of the building appeared in Jono's mind. "You plan on seeing Seto?"

"I was. It's been a long time."

"Months, actually. Uh, Jono? Kaiba won't know you're not me."

Maybe, but it's possible Seto's mentioned me."

"Could be; just thought I'd give you a heads-up." Joey sensed the link was closed and laid back on his bed. It was kind of cool to not be controlling his body and letting someone else do it. I know Kaiba loves controlling a situation, but he's learned to let Seto out once in a while.

Kaiba was signing some paperwork enjoying the relative peace of the office on a Sunday afternoon. He shuffled some papers around and sensed Seto exploring his mind again. He had to admit, there was something comforting of having the priest learn about his past, though he rarely discussed what he uncovered. Maybe I should look through his mind next time he takes over. Who knows what I'll learn.

A knock at the door drew his attention. His right hand drifted beneath the back of his trench coat to grip the Millennium Rod before saying, "Enter." It opened and Kaiba scowled as he released the Rod. "Wheeler, what do you think you're doing and what is with your hair?" He eyed the brown hair that was mixed in with the blond.

Wheeler stepped up to the desk and rested his knuckles on the desk. He looked right into Kaiba's eyes. "I am not Joey," he said.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. "Really? You look like Wheeler." Clearly Wheeler's playing a lame joke and I was prepared to be civil to him. So much for that idea.

Wheeler continued to stare at him. "I am here to see Seto. Tell him it's Jono."

Kaiba gaped as the name struck a chord. "You're Jono!?" He got a nod. "Hold on." He closed his eyes as he traveled to his Soul Corridor. He saw Seto in the hall, looking anxious and eager. "Go ahead and see your friend." Seto grinned as he moved forward to take over.

Seto opened his eyes to see Jono standing in front of the desk. He smiled as he rose, came around the desk, and embraced Jono. "Jono, my dear friend. It's great to see you again."

"Same here, Seto. Joey told me it's only been months since you left the afterlife." The two parted.

"Correct. So, you and Joey are like Kaiba and me. When did this happen?"

"Yesterday morning. He let me take over earlier today. I got to play at the arcade with his friends."

"Did you get to see Atem?"

"I did. He felt bad that I died the night he chased Bakura. I told him I didn't blame him."

"Of course. So, you discovered video game. Have you heard of Duel Monsters?"

"No. Joey shared his knowledge of reading and writing with me last night. I was so happy with that I neglected to explore his mind. Is Duel Monsters a game?"

"It's a popular card game. It is based on the Shadow Games that were held at the palace."

"The Shadow Games. So, modern people play it as an actual game?"

"They do. Kaiba is an excellent duelist and from his memories it seems Joey is a good duelist too. I'd wager there's a deck somewhere on you. I'd be happy to tell you the rules."

Jono patted his pockets until he reached into an inner jacket pocket and pulled out a deck of cards. He turned over the top card and read the name: Panther Warrior.

Seto looked over his shoulder. "Hmm, that's not a bad card. The only drawback is that it can't attack unless you sacrifice another monster."

"Then, why would Joey have it in his deck?"

"I recall times when Kaiba saw Joey duel and he uses a card called Scapegoat to summon monsters he can use as sacrifices."

"Seto? You do realize that I didn't understand a word you just said, right?"

Seto laughed. "Yes, of course. I've familiarized myself with the game over the last few months. Please sit and let me explain how the game is played." He drew up a chair beside the office chair and gestured to it as he sat.

About an hour later, both men were looking over Joey's deck, pointing out combos and Seto said he would speak to Kaiba about helping to provide at least a couple of new cards.

"Think that's possible? I mean, I know Joey and Kaiba don't get along."

"I could acquire those cards and present them to you or Joey next time I take over. I know how to hide memories from Kaiba."

"I don't want you to risk the bond you've got with Kaiba just to help improve a deck. It's not worth that."

Seto smiled. "You are just as I remember. All right, I won't sneak behind Kaiba's back. Besides, he may agree anyway."

"Was Kaiba accepting of you residing within him?"

"Are you kidding?" Seto laughed. "He, at first, thought I was a dream. He refused to open my door so that I could leave my room and denied my requests to take over. After a month of being together, I tricked him into opening my door and then I forcibly took over. When I was ready to switch, he was furious that I tricked him. I fled to my room and locked it, believing he hated me. I had consigned myself to severing all ties with him and to suffering a true death."

"No!" Jono gasped. "Not a true death!"

"Yes and I was convinced that was where I was going until Kaiba spoke to me. He had had time to think and realized that sharing his body with me was not really a bad thing and that he didn't hate me. He proved it by letting me take over for the rest of the afternoon and shared his business knowledge with me. I returned the favor by 'teaching' him to read hieroglyphs."

"Wow. I didn't have to trick Joey into opening my door. He's a very trusting soul."

"Enjoy your day?" Joey asked as he laid in bed that night.

"The best. Thanks for letting me take over for the day."

"Hey, no problem. I spent some of the time looking through your mind, learning about you."

"You did? I'm planning to do the same tomorrow."

"You might want to get some sleep. I have to go to school tomorrow."

"School?"

"It's where I learn about history, math, and language, things like that."

"Is that where you learned to read and write?"

"Yeah."

"Great. Then, I'll look through your mind after school. Night, Joey."

"Night, Jono." Joey closed his eyes, smiling. He had an eternal friend and looked forward to sharing his past experiences with him and having new adventures together.

The End