Chapter 9 :

"Where… Where am I?"

Katsuya blurrily opened his eyes and tried to make out his surroundings.

It was dark. He tensed then relaxed.

He had always had mixed feelings toward the dark. It was a source of torment and unrecognizable sounds that caused him unease, especially when the space had been previously shared with his father. Usually, silence only made things worse. He would remain alone with his thoughts, to remember the pain of his past and of being left on his own now - his father in rehab and his friends gone to college… he had never felt so alone.

This silence was different though.

Yes, he was alone and couldn't hear anything, but he felt he could just drift off into its dark embrace.

It felt like he was on a bed made of clouds. It was different from any other mattress he had ever been upon before. It was comforting and warm. He was tempted to dive further into the covers and forget everything else that might try to overcome his mind.

He was about to fall asleep when he suddenly remembered his uncompleted tasks. He sprung out of the bed and stumbled around blindly, trying to find the door. After finally discovering it, he flung it open and ran into the hallway, glancing around wildly. Each direction seemed to stretch on before it turned to another hall. He groaned, realizing with despair his inability to remember the way out.

As he stood there unsure what to do, he noticed that he could hear sounds coming from inside a room two doors down. He went over and stood awkwardly in front of the closed door. He wasn't sure whether he should knock and walk in... or if he should take his chances searching for a way out.

He caved toward the first option. He didn't know the current time and realized abruptly that his watch was gone. He didn't want to chance spending more hours trying to find the way out. Not to mention, he would definitely be late to his job if he couldn't discover the exit appropriately. Yes, he was confident and often lucky, but that was a result within duel monsters… real life never really gave him those same outcomes.

Katsuya tugged at his messy-hair briefly, realizing that it probably looked worse than usual. His hair was practically impossible to tame, especially after he awoke. His fingers got caught in the tangled knots of his hair before he managed to free them, giving up on the effort to manage it.

He knocked lightly on the door.

Nothing.

He shrugged and tested the handle. The doorknob turned easily.

It's not locked so might as well go in and see who's inside, Katsuya thought to himself. He pushed the door open and pulled it quietly shut behind him after entering. He glanced around to gather his bearings.

As he looked around the room, his mouth dropped in awe. It was a giant gaming room. A huge t.v. was set at the back of the room with an entertainment center. Different gaming systems were on each shelf. They had the Wii, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo Switch and more, including some that he didn't recognize. The noise he had been hearing from the hall came from the speakers on each side of the entertainment center. A coffee table and a luxury sofa were across from the television.

Katsuya was able to clearly see brown hair above the couch cushions, which indicated the position of the straight-postured CEO. A mop of dark hair was barely seen over the leather fabric, a characteristic he easily distinguished. That was Mokuba. He slowly approached the back of the sofa and peered at the t.v. screen. The Wii was on and the siblings were playing Mario-kart.

Seto Kaiba allowed a slight grin to settle on his facial features. The expression didn't remain there long though. If Mokuba had seen it, the youth would have pouted for days, as he had done in the past. He had learned his lesson at that time... No need for a reenactment of that event.

Mario-kart.

This was one of Mokuba's favorite Wii games to play with him. Kaiba had earned first place while his younger brother was inches away in second every time. Although his brother had never succeeded in placing higher than him so far, that outcome might change in the near future, and that being fairly soon. Mokuba was one of the most natural gamers he knew. The youth rarely struggled in any video game, being tactical in his pursuits despite his age. He felt proud that his younger brother was a quick learner and his skills gave him confidence. They both enjoyed the competition, especially what they gave each other. Competition always gave an individual the opportunity to perform to their best ability.

Kaiba glanced over and met the pleased gaze of his younger sibling. "What?"

A large smile stretched over Mokuba's face. "I'm getting better, aren't I?"

"Really?" He tilted his head slightly, as if to ponder the question.

"Yep! Don't deny it, Seto. I can tell that you agree."

"What makes you think that?"

A new voice spoke in response to the brunet's question. "He can tell by the look in your eyes."

Kaiba turned toward the speaker in surprise. He hadn't heard anyone approach, or enter the room for that matter. The words had been spoken softly, close to his left ear. As the words were said, warmth seemed to pass over him.

Katsuya Jonouchi.

The blonde was leaning with his arms crossed and set upon the top of the leather sofa. Those caramel-tea eyes blinked lightly in greeting. The tousle of blonde hair upon the younger man's head was wilder than usual - no doubt the result of a restless slumber.

"I see that you've decided to remain in the land of the living."

Katsuya seemed to tense, his shoulders raising upward slightly at the comment. "Don't remind me."

There was a brief pause.

"What did you mean?" Kaiba asked.

The shorter man looked at him with confusion. "Huh?"

Katsuya definitely struggled with any sudden shift back and forth in their conversations. The brunet felt sympathy for anyone that held a full discussion with the younger duelist, especially when that person was himself. "What did you mean by Mokuba being able to tell by the look in my eyes?"

Realization dawned on the blond's face. "Oh! Well, you get a gentle look… kinda like a sparkle... in yer eye when looking at the kid." A slight blush rose on his face as he explained.

There was one rise of an eyebrow.

"It's true, Seto." Mokuba chimed in.

The CEO glanced between both of them. He believed them. He could see the honest light within their eyes. He probably would have believed them anyway, even if he hadn't seen that honesty brimming at the surface of those orbs of coloration. Mokuba rarely lied, even when he wanted something his way. He shared a quality with Kaiba though - being manipulative. They both would provide the information they thought was substantial at the time, but nothing more than that. Katsuya was blunt and brutally honest toward anyone. The blond was better at sugar-coating his words and was truly empathetic with his friends though.

The problem was that they could both see the pride in his eyes. He had always been taught to hide his weakness. Pride was definitely not an emotion that he considered weak... But the chance that others could read him so easily through his eyes was a vector for his fears.

"How long were you watching us play anyways?" Mokuba continued, directing the question toward Jounouchi.

"Don't know for sure, but for a while." The blond glanced nervously at Kaiba. It was apparent that the shorter man was uncertain about how that statement would pass along to the CEO.

"As long as your gaze was focused on the screen and not my brother…" The brunet purposefully trailed off, allowing the underlying threat to be left to the mind of the younger duelist. And Katsuya seemed to get the hint immediately.

"Of course." The reply was swift and voiced with slight offense. "I'm not that kinda guy, Kaiba."

"Hmm…" He pretended to ponder that answer. He already knew that Jounouchi was telling the truth though. He would never have believed that the blond was that type of person in the first place. He just enjoyed getting a rise from the younger individual.

Katsuya walked around the couch to properly face the Kaiba siblings, so that he didn't remain awkwardly behind them, and stood in front of the television. "I was curious about one thing though..."

"And what would that be?"

Kaiba watched each of the younger duelist's movements carefully while his interest grew toward how the conversation would progress further. The blond slipped his hands in the front pockets of his pants, thumbs left comfortably out of the fabric.

"Why do you always choose the same character? Mokuba changes his almost every time."

"He is my favorite character, obviously, or else I wouldn't choose him." His gaze sharpened slightly as he responded. Katsuya didn't seem to notice the change.

"That makes sense, but why Luigi? I would've figured you would choose Bowser."

Kaiba's gaze became hostile. He was offended that anyone would think he'd choose a character that had a brain smaller than the shell on his back, quite literally. Bowser always failed in his pursuits. He hated the overgrown turtle, or tortoise… whatever pathetic creature it was personifying. There was no chance that he would ever choose a character that seemed to be the exact opposite of his ultimate goal… success.

Luigi was his character, clearly being a man of accomplishment and the true hero within his family. His brother, Mario, was a menace… seeming to share the same personality as Kaiba's late foster father, Gozaburo. They both shared qualities of greed and put up an image for others to see. However, both had done such a good job of covering their tracks that they would never be blamed for any previous transgressions.

"What do you care? The character doesn't matter. What matters are results. I doubt you would be able to win a race against Mokuba - let alone me."

The provocation worked just as Kaiba planned. "Shut up! I'd run laps around you, richboy."

"Only when I allow it, mutt. It could even become one of your dog tricks."

The businessman smirked, watching as Katsuya began to flare up in anger. It was only a second later that he realized Mokuba was observing their interaction closely. He quickly felt the need to change the topic, trying not to provide another bad example for his younger brother.

"Was there a reason for why you are still here, Katsuya?" he asked coolly.

The blond suddenly froze, his face draining of color.

What came to mind was I'm screwed.

Katsuya remembered why he had entered the game room in the first place, almost immediately after Kaiba's question. His purpose had been to get directions to leave the mansion, so that he could make it on time for work. Another problem was that he didn't know the time. His watch had not been on his wrist when he woke up and he had been too anxious to look for it properly before scrambling for the door earlier.

"What time is it now?" His voice sounded quite strained.

"About 7 pm." That response had him groan in despair as he pulled at his hair.

"Oh! Sorry. I actually took off your watch after you fainted. I'll go get it for you." The youth sprang from his spot on the couch and dashed out of the room. The door was left gaping open at his sudden exit. Katsuya merely stared after the youth with a slight smile. Mokuba's energy could be contagious, but his mood was definitely past the point of improving.

"I assume that there is a problem."

He directed his gaze toward the brunet that still remained comfortably upon the sofa. Kaiba was looking at him knowingly, almost like the taller man knew exactly what that problem would be.

"I'm late for work." He replied simply, yet he flinched as he said it aloud.

The CEO merely shrugged. That subtle gesture bothered him. Of course, he should have known. Kaiba wouldn't care whether he was late for his job or not. The businessman had been part of the reason for that though, yet the brunet didn't look sorry in the slightest. Then again, he had never seen the older man apologize to anyone before either.

Katsuya resisted the urge to strangle his arrogant host. "Could I borrow yer phone?"

"Why?"

"To call my boss." He forced the words through his grinding teeth.

"Very well." Kaiba deftly removed his phone from his pocket, his movement completely smooth, then held the device outward.

Katsuya stepped forward and snatched the phone away from the outstretched hand. He dialed in his boss's number. He had previously memorized all of his employers' contact information and was glad that he did. He felt a cold sweat run along his forehead and wiped it away as he listened to the phone ring against his ear. He heard the clink and his boss's answering voice.

"Hello?"

"Hi, uh, this is Jounouchi."

He scrambled for an excuse frantically in his mind but it wasn't necessary. His boss immediately cut in.

"You're late again…"

Katsuya was unsure how to respond. All his excuses would sound lame, even to his own ears.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that we can't afford to employ you any longer."

"Oh, I see... I apologize for any trouble that I may have caused you and your establishment. Thank you for the opportunity."

"Good luck to you, Jounouchi."

The call ended and the blaring tone rang in his ear. He handed back the cellular device to Kaiba and numbly stared down at the floor.

Kaiba gently took his phone and returned it to its usual place. He stared at Katsuya. The blond hadn't moved since giving back the handheld device. It wasn't hard to guess what had been said during the mobile conversation. He frowned. This was definitely not the reaction he had expected. He expected to be blamed - told that he was the reason for this development and that compensation was necessary. Nothing of the sort happened though. The silence between them felt suffocating - although silence had never felt that way to him before.

"Katsuya."

There was no response from the younger individual. He tried again. Nothing. Kaiba rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"It seems that the mutt has finally become submissive."

That got Katsuya's attention. Unconcealed hatred flared in those amber eyes.

"I'm not a mutt and I'm not being submissive, pal! I have a right to…"

"You have a right to what?"

"To be disappointed, alright?"

"So why are you disappointed?" Kaiba felt like he was an anger-management therapist, trying to find the reasons for his clients emotional outbursts.

There was a pause. "I lost my job…" It was said in a subdued whisper.

"So what's the problem?"

Katsuya glared at him intensely. "Don't pretend that this has nothing to do with you! It's obviously yer fault that I lost my job. You're also the reason that I quit my other job, too. Now it's late and I have a longer walk home than usual. I didn't even get the chance to do what I came here to do."

There it is, Kaiba thought to himself. That was the outburst he had been waiting for. He smirked brazenly. He was about to respond when a voice interrupted him.

"Then stay here!" Mokuba yelled from the doorway, Katsuya's watch gripped tightly in his right hand.

End of Chapter 9