Getting to school early as usual, though a little earlier than normal. 'I don't want anyone to see my painting.' Joey carried his painting to the art room and left it on the teacher's desk. 'I'll just leave it here.' He went to the classroom .Sliding the door open at the back of the room. A tap-tap, tap-tap echoed within. Joey looked inside. 'Kaiba!'

Kaiba sat at his desk working on his laptop. "Who's there?" Kaiba didn't even bother turning around.

Joey stood there for a moment. 'Should I leave and close the door? No, I've still got math to do.' Joey stepped inside closing the door.

'Please don't be him.' Kaiba thought. 'I wouldn't put it past him to look for me.'

"You're here early Kaiba." Joey said from in front of the door.

"Mutt?" Kaiba turned around. He saw Joey standing in front of the door, he looked mildly confused as he stood there.

"What are you doing here early?" His heart skipping a beat.

"I had to deliver my painting. So why are you here? I've never seen you here early before." Joey looked Kaiba over suspiciously,

"I couldn't sleep." Kaiba turned back around.

"…" Joey walked to his seat closer to the front, and sat his bag down. "So…" Kaiba glared at him over his work. "Did you do your painting?" Joey sat down.

"Yes." Kaiba continued to glare, over his laptop, at the blonde boy only a few desks from him. "Did you?" Picture being a dog.'

"Yeah. So what did you paint?" Joey leaned back looking at him from an odd angle.

Kaiba grinned wickedly. "A mutt."

There was a thud as Joey's head hit the desk behind him.

Kaiba snickered.

"Ow." Joey sat up blushing and looking back at Kaiba. 'Is he laughing?' Joey's eyes almost popped out. He rubbed his head. "Are you laughing?"

Kaiba immediately stopped. "No." Kaiba retorted. "It's different it's snickering." Kaiba glared.

"Oh." Joey was still blushing a little from his accident. "So is that really what you painted?" Joey whispered.

"Would I lie?" Kaiba gave Joey a stern stare. Then he noticed the pink on Joey's cheeks. 'Stupid Mutt!' But his heart beat faster. "So what did you paint?"

The color disappeared and Joey smiled happily. "It's a secret." Joey looked at the clock. "It's only six-thirty." He whined.

"Don't you have work to do?"

"Oh yeah." Joey turned towards his desk and started his math. "Hmm." A few minutes later Joey was tapping his head with his eraser staring at the problem.

A few minutes later the door slid open. "Wheeler! Is this your painting?" The art teacher Mr. Abiko fumbled over his amazement. He was holding up a covered canvas.

"Uh, yeah." Joey blushed. 'I was hoping he wouldn't look at it until later.'

"Then would you mind if I use it in class?" Mr. Abiko beamed at the painting.

"Uh…" Joey looked down. "Um…"

"Thanks Wheeler." With that he scampered away humming to himself happily.

"Wait. I didn't agree." Joey shouted after him.

Kaiba looked at Joey curiously. "What was that about?"

"My painting." Joey smiled weakly.

"Hmm." Kaiba looked up. "I had a favor to ask you."

"Me?" Joey's mouth fell open in disbelief.

"Yeah. Do you think we could not fight so much. As fun as it is, it's tiresome having to put you in your place."

Joey growled a little.

"Stop it you know I'm right."

'Right he might be, but must he be so arrogant!' Joey's mind growled.

"Good." Kaiba smirked. 'Why do I feel like I just lost something? Oh wait it's probably my sanity.' With that Kaiba went back to work.

Walking in Tristan was surprised they hadn't killed each other. Homeroom passed quickly as Joey finished his math, well close to finished. When the bell rang he made his way to art class with the gang and Kaiba. The bell sounded as Joey got in the door.

"I'd appreciate it if you would come up here, Wheeler." Mr. Abiko said not looking up from his attendance sheet. "Go stand in the front of the class." Mr. Abiko smiled at him.

Joey did as he was told and stood in front of the class, more than slightly pink in the cheeks. 'Oh no! He wasn't kidding.'