I swear the next one will be faster, cause I've been on a writing kick lately, so I have the next three chapters written, but not typed. Anywhoo, read on.

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Much to the chagrin of Jounouchi, Kaiba did not appear at school again until Wednesday, and in the afternoon at that. While headed for the washrooms, Jou caught him in the hallway during last period. He was taken by such surprise that he forgot all about his carefully crafted pan and simply blurted out "Kaiba, what are you doing here?'

Without even glancing his way, the boy replied, "I go to school here. Surly even someone with your brain capacity can remember that much." Although it was an insult, Jou could feel it didn't have the harsh bite he had grown to expect from the coldhearted CEO.

"Yeah, but you haven't been here all day. Why bother to show up now?" Jou replied, ignoring the previous barb.

Finally looking up, the brunette replied " I needed some things from my locker. Now, if you're finished with the Spanish Inquisition, I" but he never got to finish that thought. "Whoa! You look like the living dead man! I thought you'd get rest now that you're done with that big deal thingy, but I guess I was wrong, huh?" Jou interrupted.

And he was right; Kaiba did look like death warmed over. His pale skin only helped to accentuate the dark circles that had formed under his eyes. His eyelids were drooping over his eyes, giving him a slightly peeved appearance that was far less threatening then the ice prince he normally was. It even looked like he had lost a bit of weight since the last time Jou had seen him.

"Yes, well, my work is never done. Now, as stimulating as this conversation is, I must head home, so unless you have anything worth paying attention too to say, I'll be on my way." When Jou made no reply besides gawking slightly, his taller companion turned around and stalked out of the school, across the lawn and into his ever-waiting limo.

"Well," said Jou to himself "that didn't go nearly as well as I planned." It suddenly occurred to him that the two of them had just had a conversation that could pass as civilized if you weren't paying too close attention.

With a sigh, Jou remembered that trying to get information at his new job had not gone as well as he had planned either.

He and Honda had been shown the ropes of serving customers and been introduced to the other employees, including dancers. When Jou had asked about the man who had danced the previous Friday, no one could tell him anything. The DJ who was currently at the club didn't work on weekends and the mystery man never spoke to anyone else, not even the manager, as far as any of the wait staff could tell.

The other dancers didn't like him. He came in out of nowhere and stole the show completely. They were quite happy he didn't show up very often.

All in all the mystery man was just that. A mystery. But Jou was not one to give up that easily. He'd already made another plan. He'd ask the weekend DJ during his shift on Saturday night, and he'd try confronting Kaiba again tomorrow. But right now he had to get back to class, and then head over to his new job with Honda so they could make sure they knew everything before the busy shifts on the weekends.

The next day Kaiba was once again not at school. Jou hoped against all odd it was because he was at home sleeping, but he knew the CEO was probably at Kaiba Corp. working himself to an early grave.

Jou tried no to think about Kaiba. The more he did, the more ho wanted to see him. He had to keep focused on getting home so he didn't head straight downtown, find Kaiba and tie him to a bed. So he could sleep, of course. Tie him to a bed so Kaiba could sleep.

Jou was so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he almost didn't hear the voice calling to him. "Jou! Jou, wait up a sec!"

The boy in question turned to see Mokuba running at top speed straight for him. It became apparent that on Mokuba, top speed did not come with breaks, and so Jou was knocked right over.

"Oh, thank goodness I found you! I have the biggest favor to ask you. But before I tell you what it is, you have to agree. But it's huge and you won't want to do it, but I'll owe you big time. Like, pay off student loans or kill a man big time! Please don't make me kill a man, and please, please, please say you'll do it!" After this short rant, Mokuba stared pleadingly at Jou.

Jou couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. Kids tended to exaggerate on everything. The poor boy probably just needed some help with his homework or something.

"Sure Mokuba, I'll help you out," he said with a smile.

Relief washed over the young boys face. "Oh, thank you so, so much! You have no idea how much this means to me! But I can't tell you out here, we have to be somewhere private." And so the small boy dragged the blond towards his Limo.

After ordering his driver to take the long route home, Mokuba turned to Jou. "Ok, first off, thank you. I'm in your debt. And secondly you have to swear no to tell anyone about this." Jou gave an affirmative nod. "Ok, I need you to sleep with Seto."

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A week tops till the next one. Don't forget to review!