Chapter 6 :

Seto Kaiba felt like rolling his eyes when a golden head revealed itself from behind his office door.

The moment that the CEO had been anticipating had finally arrived.

After all this time of - not - waiting, Katsuya had decided to show up in front of him… now. And the brunet was in a terrible mood already. Although the nervousness set upon the blond's face caused a flash of affection to course through him, the feeling was wasted. He had no use for emotions that would result in weakness, especially for his 'rival' that only seemed to cause more of a ruckus than anything else.

He took in Katsuya's appearance as the younger man paused just inside the door. A simple jacket with solid green coloring. A dark blue button-up shirt. Blue was definitely not the blond's color, but he had to admit that it didn't look too bad on him. Black jeans. The jeans even seemed to be tight - tighter than the other pants that the blond wore or that he'd seen - defining his leg muscles to show a lean but strong figure. Although the outfit was preferable to the baggy clothes that was often worn by the shorter duelist, the blond always looked good and seemed to have a confident nonchalance that allowed him to pull off anything that he wore.

"Finally decided to show up, mutt?"

Katsuya flamed red in indignation. "I'm not a mutt, richboy!"

"Could have fooled me. You have yet to prove to me otherwise." Seto replied with a less-than-subtle smirk on his face.

At the knock at the door, the businessman had turned toward where his unannounced guest would enter with his arms crossed over his chest. Now, he returned to his task at the side of his desk, closing his briefcase and clicking it shut. He had put his laptop into the encasement before giving verbal allowance for the blond to enter.

Now, it seemed like the short-tempered duelist was struggling to control himself. Shocker. But more to avoid a dispute between them. The brunet noticed this fact after returning his gaze to the visitor at the door. An idea came to mind and the CEO's smirk widened.

"I appreciate you fixing up your appearance just to impress me but I think you might have to try harder to accomplish such a feat."

"Ya crazy?! There is no way that this is to impress you of all people." Katsuya reddened further, probably more from embarrassment than from anger. Red was definitely a better color on the blond than blue or green, seeming to fit his passionate personality. "I'm dressed like this for my job, if ya must know. Jerk." The last part was more like a grumble.

Kaiba was satisfied with the reaction the blond gave to his jab and simply ignored the insult.

"Why are you here, Jounouchi? You are not the type that enjoys my company." Some might pretend to do so, but only for their own self-interest. Mokuba was the only exception.

"Oh… right, well, I'm here to deliver these." The shorter man moved forward and held something out to him.

Seto glanced down and noticed the documents clasped in the hand extended to him. He had failed to register anything in either of the blond's hands earlier. That was a mistake that he wasn't likely going to admit to anytime soon. He took a hold of the papers and panned his eyes across the top page. It was the statistics of all of Kaiba Corp divisions compiled into an averaged data sheet. He flipped through the stack. It was a pile of the documents that he had his secretary gather during the time that Gou Watanable had arrived unexpectedly.

"Why do you have these?" The CEO looked up into Katsuya's brown eyes, suspicion flashing in his own.

"Emiko-san asked me to bring them to you." The blond rubbed the back of his neck and grinned sheepishly.

"I see." He frowned, realizing the ploy that his secretary had decided to pull. He would have to warn her about allowing others to easily get a hold of important data, especially since it could fall into the wrong hands. The women even seemed to be 'forgetting' to keep him informed on who was seeking to discuss things with him. This had only occurred with Katsuya so far though. He had heard her asking the blond to deliver the coffee straight to him occasionally in the mornings, but she never managed to convince the younger man to do so.

Although Emiko Shimizu was a cunning individual, which she was good at hiding, Kaiba had never considered firing her. He appreciated her work, especially because she actually knew what she was doing. The others that had been hired to the position before her had never lasted more than a month. She had been his secretary at Kaiba Corp for two years already. She had managed to gain the favor of the CEO despite having been previously employed at a competing firm. That fact made her a better asset though. Plus, it was admirable that she refused to reveal any of her last employer's secrets. That had bothered the brunet originally, but that had quickly been replaced with acceptance.

He returned to the back of his desk and set the pile into the top left drawer. As he straightened from his leaning position, he met the curious gaze of Katsuya.

"You like what you see?" Kaiba asked with the rise of an eyebrow.

Katsuya's mouth merely dropped in shock before stuttering and failing to reply. The businessman watched this struggle for a moment before it became tiresome.

"...Why are you still here?"

The blond marched forward, having closed his mouth and glared at him in fierce rage, then forced a bowl out to him. Seto looked down at the container then back up into the brown eyes of his self-proclaimed rival. Those eyes seemed to be melting from the heat they held.

"What's this?"

"Soup."

Kaiba stared back blankly.

"It's chicken noodle soup." A feeling of annoyance itched at him when Katsuya stepped forward again and practically forced the bowl into his hands.

"I have no need for this." His azure eyes were as hard as flint.

"You're full of it, Kaiba. I'm willing to bet that ya haven't had anything other than coffee."

There was a pause before the brunet responded. "You have nothing of worth to bet on regardless. And even if you did, you'd lose."

"Nuh-uh." The blond actually raised a finger and scolded him like a three year old. "Stop changing the topic. You keep trying to piss me off so that you have an excuse to throw me out before I can help."

"As I recall-" He began.

"You're about to say that I'm not able to help you, even if I am willing, because of yer stupid contract, right?" Katsuya cut in.

The brunet chose to use a glare to suffice as an answer. He would have been cut off again anyways. The irritating individual before him had treated it as a rhetorical question.

"Well, too bad! I'm going to help you anyways! And I will tell Mokuba if you refuse."

"You signed that contract-"

"I don't give a darn about yer stupid contract! You let me help you or Mokuba finds out, your choice."

Seto's face gave no hint of the seething fury that was racing through his blood. Only his glare remained in place.

Katsuya was determined not to budge, even a centimeter, in this situation. He was no longer going to allow Kaiba to push him around. He had to help his unwilling associate, not out of anything other than a desire to remain true to himself. But as a result, he had broken his 'word.'

He had signed that contract previously in agreement because he had regretted pushing the businessman too far... seeing the brunet struggle to admit to his weakness. But obviously this wasn't working. And he should have known that pity would get him nowhere with the stubborn prick. The CEO had no intention of getting himself help and working through his issues, probably to avoid revealing that weakness to anyone around him. Unfortunately, that included Mokuba. Seto cared for his younger sibling immensely and protected the teen with deadly caution. Mokuba hadn't been kidnapped even once since they had both graduated high school, and that was because of the CEO's overprotectiveness. But the brother had been left in the dark about Kaiba's condition and worries. Therefore, it seemed like threatening to reveal the truth to Mokuba was the only way to convince the arrogant businessman into accepting help from him at least.

He was fearful of the brunet's reaction to his last exclamation though.

The CEO might find a way to get authorities involved because he broke the contract between them. In that case, there wouldn't be an easy way to get in contact with Mokuba to reveal the trust, as he claims he will.

Or Kaiba could make due on his last promise to make his life a living… Let's skip that thought.

Either way, Katsuya disregarded the consequences. He only hope that Seto's uneasiness toward Mokuba learning of his dilemma would be enough to black mail the businessman.

And it seemed like the brunet was contemplating his options now. The taller man had remained silent for several minutes already after Katsuya's outburst. The CEO's glare made him feel like a mouse caught in the gaze of a vicious snake. And seriously… did the mouse always feel like the strike could occur at any time and be too fast for him to react?

"Fine! What are your terms?"

Katsuya flinched, then blinked, before raising his eyes back to the businessman. Huh. That was a surprise. He didn't think that a snake could be trapped in such a way... especially a deadly one.

"Oh… well, uh." It took a moment for him to refocus on the issue and decide on these 'terms.' The terms would need to be broad. If it was too specific, Kaiba would only twist things into his favor. "A'right… First, you have to follow my instructions, anything I say. I tell you to eat, you eat. I tell you to drink, ya drink."

The brunet's eyes narrowed. "I refuse to follow directions without some say in the matter, especially if you ask me to do something stupid."

Good point. Katsuya understood his defiance. He definitely wouldn't like to do that either. A memory of being stuck in a dog costume came to mind before he cleared it away abruptly.

"Fine. You can have a say, but I get the final decision. You can tell me your reason and try to convince me. But you still have to do what I say if you fail to change my mind. Dat work for ya?"

The CEO took a moment to consider this before nodding curtly.

"Second, you aren't allowed to kick me out. From your office, or your mansion if I come and check on you there."

Displeasure seemed to cross the businessman's face at the second term. That reaction made him feel proud. That was probably one way that Kaiba had thought to keep him off his back.

Eventually, the brunet nodded once again.

"Third… you have to be honest with Mokuba when he asks about your health. I understand that you don't want him to worry but he needs ta know that you're human too. I'm sure that your guys will become closer because of it. Still seeing the reluctance in those azure eyes caused him to rethink a bit. "This can start after your appetite comes back and I'm off your case. Actually, you don't even have to do it. Just keep it in mind."

After all was said, Katsuya managed to get the distrustful CEO to eat the chicken noodle soup after a lot of nagging and complaints between them. He hadn't put much soup in the bowl anyways, being unsure of how much food was appropriate for someone that rarely ever ate. He didn't want the brunet to get an upset stomach and throw up all that he had forced down. As such, the amount had been small, and was finished quickly.

He checked his watch for the time as Seto finished off the last bit of the broth. 3:47. He was going to be late for work!

Kaiba seemed to notice the sudden anxiety that overtook the blond's features. The businessman's voice sounded bored. "What now?"

"I have work at four and it's a twenty minute walk from here!"

The CEO glanced at the clock on his office wall. "Well, you better start running. It should be good exercise for…"

Katsuya could practically hear the unvoiced words… 'for a mutt.' He reminded himself to ruin the next bowl of soup he made for the rich prick. "Even if I ran, I'd be late. Plus, it's raining now."

The brunet shrugged, standing and receiving his briefcase before heading out the office door. Katsuya quickly grabbed his bowl and the lid from the desk before racing to catch up to the businessman. He barely managed to get through the elevator door before it shut behind him. They rode it down to the garage together, the blond glancing at the CEO every so often. He continued to tag along behind the taller man as they headed towards a white and dark blue Bugatti Chiron.

"Why are you following me?" The brunet didn't even look back.

" 'cause I was hoping you'd give me a ride…" Katsuya muttered.

"Oh, really."

"Hey! I was late to my job on Monday because of you and they cut my pay! Help me out!"

"No."

"Kaiba!" Katsuya grabbed the businessman's right arm. The taller individual turned to face him with apparent annoyance. "Please."

There was a stretched silence. He held his breath, hoping that asking the CEO for the first time would get the desired result he wanted. Saying please had been painful. But if it helped him keep his job, it was worth it.

The brunet sighed. "Fine. Get in."

The blond grinned and went to the passenger side of the expensive car. He bumped his head as he got in.

"Where to?" Kaiba slid in effortlessly, starting the car as his passenger rubbed his head.

"Uh, Blue Lagoon. Have ya been there?" He glanced hesitantly at the driver.

"I know where it is."

Only a second after his response had gone by and suddenly the car was flying out of the garage with such incredible acceleration that Katsuya's eyes widened considerably in terror. He had been pressed back against the seat at the first push of the gas pedal. Now, he was leaning left and right as the car made several turns, almost matching the rhythm of the windshield wipers as they pushed away the water splattering across the glass. The blinking of a light above the windshield and a beeping sound reminded him that a seat belt might be a safe option. He quickly belted himself in. The flashing light and repetitive sound continued. Katsuya forced his gaze to shift from the front of the car to the driver. The CEO hadn't put his seat belt on.

"Kaiba!"

"What?"

"Put yer seatbelt on!"

"Why?"

"Safety! Because you drive like a maniac! And because your car is beeping at ya!"

"It's perfectly safe. And I refuse to have a car tell me what to do."

Katsuya wasn't sure how to respond to that and decided to redirect his focus back to the front of the car.

Thankfully, they had reached the Blue Lagoon by 3:55 without incident. Katsuya had exited the white and blue vehicle immediately after it had pulled to the curb, vowing to never again ride with the crazy businessman.

He frowned as he watched the car drive off, splashing water out from under its wheels as it went.

He had wanted to thank Kaiba for the ride, even if it had been terrifying. He wasn't late after all. However, as soon as he had turned to say the words, the CEO had clicked a button that shut the passenger door and peeled off down the road without a word.

He sighed as he entered the restaurant, signed in and headed to the coat room. He hung his green jacket and set his bowl under it on the floor. He pulled his apron from the jacket's pocket and tied it around his waist, clipping on his name tag that was in one of the apron's pockets.

He had managed to convince Kaiba to accept his help. He wanted to see it through completely. But how was he going to find the time to do it? He brooded over this fact as he set to work. At the end of his shift, he approached his boss and explained his situation briefly. He described his 'friend's' health issues and his desire to help. He asked to quit after this weekend, but expressed his wish to return eventually. Much to his relief, his boss understood and accepted his temporary resignation. He could gain enough money from the café and supermarket to pay for himself and put a bit towards his father's debt until he finished his responsibilities toward helping a certain, uncooperative businessman.

Katsuya never expected himself to do this, least of all for Kaiba of all people - unless it was for one of his best friends. He needed the time to get the CEO to listen though. There was no doubt in his mind that they would argue and fight often.

After this weekend, he would focus on taking care of his stubborn, rich rival.

Seto Kaiba drove himself home. He was definitely going to arrive a lot later than he usually did. Normally, he would reach the mansion by 3:15 each afternoon.

Today had been very different from his regular routine. He had two unexpected visitors today, one more enjoyable than the next. He had remained in his office almost until four dealing with Katsuya. Not to mention that he had to go out of his way to take that irritating, blond duelist to a restaurant in the opposite direction. If he had refused, the shorter man would have kept hanging on to him, making him even later than he already was. The word 'please' had also been a surprise. But that same individual had him trapped, using blackmail. There wasn't a word good enough to explain how annoyed he was with this outcome. Mokuba was definitely not going to hear a word about this.

He pulled into the driveway and parked. He exited his car and entered the mansion, tossing his keys to the doorman waiting upon his return.

Mokuba raced down the stairs, jumping into his arms with a yell. "Seto! You're home!"

"Yes. I'm back." The CEO set down his younger brother, a slight smile on his face. "Aren't you too old for that kind of behavior?" He bent down and rubbed the head of messy, dark hair.

The teen stuck out his tongue playfully and gave a large genuine smile before wrapping his fingers around the wrist of the hand on his head, keeping it there. "You never get home this late. What's going on? Did something happen?"

He had never lied to his brother before, and he never planned to.

Nothing ever stopped him from avoiding a conversation though.

"Nothing for you to worry about."

End of Chapter 6