Thanks as always for your reviews:D Hope you enjoy this chapter because…it's bath time!

Kaiba's POV

Kaiba stared at the shaggy, mangled pup with uncontained disbelief. He knew those ridiculously adorable puppy-dog eyes. They belonged to…no! Unlike the geek squad, the great Seto Kaiba was a logical, shrewd businessman who didn't believe in superstitious nonsense and magic. Though he might possibly admit that there was a hint of truth to all that ancient Egyptian, millennium item stuff, he simply had to draw the line at duelists that morphed into puppies. However…

"Setoooooo! Buddy needs a vet – now!"

"Mokuba, ring Dr Powell and tell him to get here this instant."

"But Seto, he's not only Domino's best vet but internationally renowned expert in animal psychology! He also hosts his own TV show about helping animals. He's basically a celebrity! There's no way he'll come…"

Kaiba sighed, trying not to let his irritation show. After all, he had no reason to be irritated, or concerned for that matter. His brother's pet had been hurt, that was it. After all, Mokuba was the one person he was allowed to feel compassionate towards. So naturally he wanted the best for his brother's pet.

"Tell him that money is no object. That I'll write him a blank cheque if he desires it. Now GO!"

If you're doing this for Mokuba, then why are you yelling at him like that? Asked the little voice in his head. Don't you think that there could be another person you've let into your…

Needless to say that this voice was promptly dismissed.

Joey's POV

Joey winced as gentle hands began a thorough examination of every inch of his body. He was hurting all over. It seemed as if there wasn't a single area of his body that hadn't been punched, punctured or pummelled. As the vet's hands touched his flesh, Joey couldn't help but remember the feel of a different pair of hands. The way long, ice cold fingers had grazed his skin, the feel of those same fingers twined around his neck pushing him against the pantry wall…

"Get it together, Joey!" he instructed himself severely. Just because you've been beaten half to death and are hurting all over does NOT give you the right to become a pervert! Now stop thinking about Kaiba and those pale, spider like hands of his!" Fortunately for Joey, this task was made immensely easier by the vet pouring some sort of slimy liquid down his throat which immediately sent him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Kaiba's POV

Kaiba spent the next few days keeping an exceptionally close eye on Mokuba so that he could immediately note any signs of post-traumatic stress following his attempted assault. At least, that was what he told himself. Nevertheless, nothing unusual resulted from this heightened interest in his brother's every move until five days after the incident.

Mokuba, under strict instructions from Dr Powell, was on his way to one of the mansion's smaller bathrooms to give his injured puppy a bath. However, he didn't look happy. Probably stemming from the fact that Buddy despised being bathed, something he didn't exactly bother keeping a secret – the howls and whines of his bath time torment often penetrating the entire Kaiba mansion.

Mokuba was just a few passages away from the bathroom when Kaiba stepped out from behind a bookcase.

"Gee Seto! Why did you have to jump out like that! It really scared me! And why do you keep following me? Are you stalking me or something?"

Kaiba tried to refrain a smile, "Actually, Mokuba, I simply stepped out. A Kaiba should be able to tell the difference between jumping and stepping – the two motions are quite disparate. And as for your audacious insinuation – I am not stalking you, merely keeping an eye on my younger brother – just like I always have."

"Whatever you say, bro," remarked Mokuba, and with that he made to continue his walk to the bathroom.

For some reason this simply remark made Kaiba feel panicked, aggravated and slightly jealous. Though the reasons behind these powerful emotions remained a mystery to him.

"MOKUBA!" Kaiba yelled suddenly.

"Y-yes, Seto."

"Have you done all your homework for tomorrow?"

"But Seto, you said I could le-"

"Just like I thought! You were avoiding it! Weren't you! A Kaiba doesn't avoid work, Mokuba! Now get to it. I'll take care of the mutt." And with that Kaiba scooped the puppy from Mokuba's arms, his distortion of the events turning the bewilderment on his brother's face into a look of guilt. "You're all mine, puppy." He couldn't help but whisper.

Joey's POV

Joey felt himself tense as Kaiba started lowering him into the bath. A bath with Kaiba. Could there be anything more traumatic? Joey thought not.

Bracing for impact, Joey held his breath…only to be pleasantly surprised at the warmth of the water. Mokuba always started with the water just moderately warm so, by the time Joey entered it, the temperature had dropped from tolerable to agonizing.

However, just because Kaiba could run a decent bath, it didn't mean he would be able to do the impossible and find a shampoo that didn't burn Joey's eyes. Even in his human form, Joey had hated washing his hair as, no matter what shampoo he used, it always seemed to get in his eyes, making them sting and tear up.

Seeing Kaiba's porcelain hand move towards an azure blue shampoo bottle, Joey felt his insides clench. Kaiba's years of insults would pale in comparison to the cruelty of this monstrous act. It seemed that Joey hadn't imagined that look. Kaiba had recognised him. And now he was going to torture him.

Joey screwed up his eyes knowing it wouldn't do the slightest bit of good. Any second now the burning sensation would begin. However, no matter what happened, there was no way he was going to let Kaiba see him howl, especially not when he was in such a vulnerable position. He may have been a dog, but he still had his pride. The infamous pride of Joey Wheeler.

Feeling the shampoo trickle down his face, he prepared himself for the burning sensation to start…however, painless seconds turned into painless minutes and by the time Kaiba had started his second "pour, lather and repeat" sequence, Joey was beaming inside.

However, the jubilation he experienced as a result of his lack-of-shampoo-burning was soon consumed by a much greater ecstasy as Kaiba began running his fingers through Joey's long, shaggy fur.

Despite the warmth of the water, Kaiba's fingers still felt ice cold to his flesh…and it felt great. Calming, relaxing and thoroughly exhilarating. Yet that was nothing compared to what he felt when Kaiba moved from stroking to massaging. Joey thought he might just explode with pleasure.

"Thank goodness I'm not a cat" he thought to himself idly, "I would be purring louder than a lawnmower. Louder than Tea's snoring!" Without realising it, Joey's eyes drifted close as he simply concentrated on the feel of Seto's fingers on his skin.

"Damn it. Not only is rich boy an amazing duelist, internationally renowned entrepreneur and intellectual genius, he also gives the best baths ever!" After that, Joey's thoughts faded into incoherency.

Mokuba's POV

Mokuba watched the film for what felt like the hundredth time. There it was, once again. Seto putting the puppy in the water. Seto carefully pouring on the shampoo. Seto massaging it into Buddy's fur. Seto pouring the water over his head and then removing him from the bath.

Mokuba couldn't help but sigh. He'd thought that hiding the video camera in the bathroom would provide him with the answers to his many questions. Questions such as why Seto was getting so obsessed over what he had originally referred to as a "stupid mutt." Not to mention the fact that he had a new excuse everyday to prevent Mokuba from bathing his puppy.

The homework excuse had been strange (considering he had just been granted permission to leave school) but nevertheless understandable as Seto had only just agreed to the change. However, the subsequent excuses were growing increasingly suspect.

"Mokuba, I need you… to book me a haircut. Immediately." He'd had one just two days ago.

"Mokuba, I need you… to book my limo into the garage. It's making too much noise." His dead silent, top of the range limo that had cost more than the gross profit made by a developing country in a year.

"Mokuba, I need you… to go and compliment our head chef. Or he might think he's unappreciated." The chef that was paid almost as much as Seto's closest business associates. The one who had an ego the size of the Kaiba Corp building. Something that had previously irritated both brothers.

Mokuba placed his head in his heads. It was simply incomprehensible. What was so special about bathing Buddy? Mokuba had done it a few times already and it was no fun at all! True, Buddy seemed much better behaved with Seto but it still didn't explain Seto's need to bath him everyday.

Seto and Mokuba Kaiba were different in many ways. One was cold, aloof and uncommunicative whilst the other was warm, cuddly and happy to talk to whoever was around. However, if there was one thing that connected them it was this – they both hated to be confused.

Hope you enjoyed:D Don't forget to review for the next chapter xx