Awesome! 5 reviews for one chapter – that has to be a record for me! Thanks so much you guys:D Though I suppose the best way to truly express my gratification is…to avoid an unnecessarily long preamble and bring you straight back to the Kaiba mansion, where screams of dismay have recently been picked up by the now super sharp ears of one Joey Wheeler… the puppy…

Kaiba's POV

Kaiba was staring at the man in front of him with undisguised disbelief. Roland. The man who knew everything about everything. The man he had trusted to seal safes and transport Mokuba. The man who had betrayed him.

"Why, Roland, why? How could you betray me like this? This simply cannot be happening."

Roland seemed genuinely repentant when he answered, "You've been very good to me, Mr Kaiba, Sir, and, regardless of what you might think, I still have a lot of respect for you. It's just that… they offered me money, Sir. A lot of money. And I couldn't refuse. Now I can finally give my family the life they've always dreamed of. The kids can go to private schools and the Mrs might finally forgive me for spending all those late nights working for you. I really am sorry, Sir."

Kaiba was now speeding past denial towards anger. Something that did not bode well for the nervous looking man in front of him.

"You back-stabbing toad! You cheating weasel! You underhanded scum! How dare you betray me like this? Do remember when I first employed you? Don't you recall the conditions under which we first met?"

Kaiba had known Roland long enough to comprehend his nervous twitches and uncomfortable fidgets; however, for once it gave him pleasure. He was going to make the man in front of him suffer.

"You had been unemployed for over two years. And, what was worse, your wife had just fallen pregnant with your second child. Your first child had some sort of ailment and needed medical attention immediately. I had hundreds of candidates begging me to employ them. But I chose you. I sympathised with your situation and gave you the chance to start a decent life. And you betrayed me."

"I'm so sorr-"

"Spare me your pathetic apologies, Roland! I don't care to hear them. Just tell me your little plan and be done with it. I know you couldn't have thought of this by yourself. If I've learnt one thing about you, it's that you need orders to do anything. So tell me, who's behind all this?"

"But, sir, they made me promise-" Roland began, fretfully.

"Roland, you've just betrayed the man who saved you and your family from a life of poverty. The least you can do is tell me what's going on and who is it that you're working for."

Roland glanced nervously at the locked door behind him before diving apprehensively into his spiel, "You see, Sir, it's like this. A few weeks this strange man approached me and wanted to know if I would take plan in a coup against the Kaiba Corporation. I said no, of course, but they offered me so much money that I couldn't possibly refuse. They told me they could hack into your system and alter the data so they held 100% of all the shares so long as they had access to the mainframe computer, the one located here. However, they didn't know how to detain you, so I…"

"So you" Kaiba promoted, coldly.

"I told them you are oblivious to your surroundings when you're working on your laptop. I told them I would handcuff you during one of these sessions and guard you so you couldn't escape."

"And I suppose you wouldn't happen to know the name of these men, would you?"

Hearing the question, Roland's face took on a look of pure horror before he finally managed to choke out two words. Two words that Kaiba knew had sealed his fate. "Banded Kraits".

Named after one of the most poisonous snakes in the world, these men were an elite group of hackers. Of course, so was Kaiba. That was why they needed to access his central computer. However, though it still had layers of security, they would slice through them like a knife through butter.

His company was lost.

Kaiba felt his heart start to race. Surely he could postpone this awful event in some way. But how? Mokuba was attending some convention on his behalf (thank goodness – he wouldn't have his innocent little brother caught up in all this for the world) and it wasn't like he had anyone else living with him who couldn't be bribed to turn a blind eye.

In fact, he doubted anyone would notice if he went missing for days…well, his company might notice but they wouldn't care enough to investigate. For a moment, Kaiba felt a strange, sickening feeling in his stomach. Would no one except Mokuba miss him if he vanished forever? Was he really that much of an asshole?* Had Joey Wheeler been right about him?

Oh great, everything he had ever worked for was being snatched from right under his nose and all he could do was think about Joey Wheeler. But why? He hadn't seen the kid since the Egypt expedition six months ago.

Then again, somehow it didn't feel that way. In fact, he had the feeling…

Whhhhiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"The gig's up, you crooks! Move slowly out of the mansion with your hands behind your head. I repeat, with your hands behind your head. No sudden movements or we will shoot."

For a moment, sheer relief made Kaiba almost light-headed. So light-headed that he failed to notice the hand that reached towards a breast pocket and emerged carrying something decidedly unfriendly.

Roland seemed to be going crazy. "NOOOOOOO!" His hands were now clutching his hair and his eyes had a slightly demented look about them. "This cannot be happening! I've risked everything for this! We went through the plan a thousand times! How can this be?"

"Shut up, Roland!" Kaiba snapped, absent-mindedly. He was free. His company was safe. He would see Joe-"

"It's over Kaiba! If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"

Kaiba remained perfectly unruffled, his deep blue eyes widening in disdain. "And what would be the point of that, pray? You were there when I made my will so you must know that everything would go to Mokuba if I die. I valued you as an assistant but I didn't leave you a dime. So it's time to cut the drama and accept your loss like a man."

Unfortunately for Kaiba, he didn't realise he was dealing with a man almost crazy with grief. His family, his position, his life…Roland had lost it all it one foul swoop. He hadn't been bluffing with his exclamation. And now he was going to prove it.

"Say goodbye, Kaiba!"

Only as Roland aimed the gun directly at Kaiba's heart did the shrewd businessman finally realise the truth of the matter. He was going to die at the hands of a mad man. He was going to die all alone in an empty house. He was going to die resented by all but his younger brother. Perhaps he was better off dead, anyway…

"See you in he-"

However, just before Roland's finger reached the trigger, there was the tinkling sound of broken glass and, within moments, he had been knocked to the floor by an unidentified yellow furball.

"My Buddy" whispered Kaiba, his voice soft and hoarse with emotion, "you came."

Joey's POV

Joey closed his eyes "So this must be what heaven feels like" he thought to himself. Sure, he was aching all over, several of his cuts had re-opened and he had just undergone the agonizing experience of having tiny shards of glass removed from his body, but still, he was in Seto's arms and those long, cold fingers of his were the best balm he could have possibly wished for.

Staring into Seto's cerulean blue eyes, Joey thanked the stars for his gut instinct – an instinct so strong that it had saved Seto's life…

After hearing Seto's screams, Joey had two choices. He could go for the alarm button located in the main reception (he still couldn't get over the fact that rich boy had a reception in his home!) or he could move towards Kaiba's office, the direction of the screams.

If this situation had occurred six months ago, Joey would have gone straight for the screams. However, since then Joey had been privy to a lot of Kaiba screams (considering most of them were aimed directly at him) and he was now able to tell between the serious screams which meant that someone was in severe danger (like the time Mokuba fainted – true, it was only from exhaustion, but Seto didn't know that) or the not-so-serious screams which meant Seto was just annoyed (like the time Joey knocked Seto's morning coffee onto his spotless cream carpet and, instead of looking apologetic, he simply stole Kaiba's breakfast bagel and ran away with it). This scream fitted into the latter category. A scream of irritation and shock, not one of imminent danger.

Consequently, Joey had gone straight to the reception desk (from which the office workers had mysteriously vanished) and pressed the emergency button. The button which immediately dialled the police.

Having done this, Joey had noticed that the screaming had stopped and, with the knowledge that the police would soon arrive, he had initially planned to go outside and revel in the pleasure that Kaiba would soon be safe and well.

Nevertheless, he hadn't got further than the main door when that gut feeling hit him and told him in no uncertain terms that he was needed back at the office. That was when he started flying towards Kaiba's workplace as if his life depended on it.

As Joey recalled the emotions he had experienced on seeing the gun, he felt a shudder coarse through the length of his body. The feelings were much too upsetting to recount. Not to mention confusing…

Besides, that didn't matter. None of it did. All that mattered was the way Seto had reacted to him afterwards.

After ensuring that Seto was unharmed and that the criminals who had dared to threaten his life had been captured, Joey prepared to fly off once more. True, his future did look a little bleak, but still, he knew he had made the right decision. He had no regrets.

In fact, he was just about to leave the mansion with his head held high when a deep voice had stopped him in his tracks "Where do you think you're going?"

Joey remembered groaning internally and wondering while Kaiba had to spoil what was likely to be Joey's last fond memory. "Please," Joey had begged silently "please don't yell at me again… Still, I don't care what you say to me, you can't make me regret what I did. Cause I love you rich boy and I could never let you die. Not while I have breath in my body. No matter what body that might be."

Nevertheless, contrary to his former beliefs, Seto had carefully carried Joey inside and, to his complete disbelief, tenderly bathed his wounds whilst whispering all sorts of compliments "How many battle scars can one dog have? Perhaps Mokuba should change your name to Hero? How can something so small have so much courage?"

The compliments were weird enough but that was nothing compared to what happened next. Seto took Joey to his room. His room. The room that Joey had completely destroyed all those weeks ago and had consequently been banned from entering. And from thereon out it simply got weirder.

Once they had reached Seto's room, Seto had proceeded to sit on his bed and cradle Joey in his arms, never once removing his gaze from the yellow buddle of fur next to his chest. His long fingers caressing the matted hair of his slightly dishevelled canine. And, when Joey had started shivering, Kaiba had placed his puppy inside his trench coat and began blowing gently on Joey's face. Could things get any weirder? Or more heavenly? (Ok, he didn't know why he was enjoying this so much – especially since he normally hated being smothered – but he attributed this unprecedented jubilation to his extensive injuries addling his brain.)

Kaiba's POV

Kaiba couldn't stop staring at his puppy with amazed eyes. He had been brought up by Gozaburo to believe that everyone acted for their own vested interest. If you didn't look out for yourself, and only yourself, you would be dragged down by those around you. Today Buddy had broken all those rules.

Not only had Buddy risked his life for him, he had done so after being instructed never to return. After he, Seto Kaiba, had treated him like dirt. Had insulted and tormented him for no other reason than a fear of learning to love.

Kaiba understood it now. The reason he had snapped at Buddy. He had been petrified that a social life might undo all that he had accomplished. He had deemed his company of much greater importance than his friend simply because more time and effort had gone into it. He had been wrong.

Gaining control of Kaiba Corp, establishing a new holographic duelling system, opening Kaiba Land amusement park. Ask anyone on the street and they would probably name these as the greatest achievements of Seto Kaiba. But to him? To him they meant almost nothing. They were just events that occurred as the result of his natural intelligence, fierce determination and hard work.

So what were his most precious memories? His true greatest achievements? Kaiba smiled to himself – they weren't difficult to recall. Joey Wheeler glaring at him, his eyes alight with passionate fire after a particularly fierce verbal battle. Mokuba telling him that he would always love and support his older brother. Buddy looking at him with adoration during the ultimate bath, along with his terrible attempts at subtlety as he kept trying to peek downwards.

Kaiba knew it was time to embrace what was truly important, regardless what it meant for his business. Besides, plenty of successful businessmen had a life outside their work – lovers, boyfriends, husbands… all he needed was balance.

In fact, now that he thought of it, he had known this for some time, only he had been afraid of trying something new. He grimaced. The great Seto Kaiba. Afraid. How pathetic was that? Well no more, he was going to make a change and give the people he loved the time and attention they deserved.

And why not start now? Smiling a rare smile, one free of bitterness or sarcasm, Kaiba pulled back the covers of his king size bed and, with surprising gentleness for hands so big, he placed Buddy just underneath one of the pillows.

After a quick change from trench coat to blue silk pyjamas, he then proceeded to move to the opposite side of the bed and join his puppy underneath the covers.

At first Buddy was rather tense and, to be honest, Kaiba couldn't really blame him. After all, Kaiba knew his behaviour had been a little schizophrenic over the past few days. However, after a surprisingly short time, Buddy loosened up and, soon afterwards, was snoring loudly in Kaiba's arms. A sound that seemed disconcertingly familiar to the slightly bamboozled CEO.

Kaiba stroked his puppy's shaggy fur with unadulterated affection almost seeping through his fingertips. Affection so strong that it would frighten him half to death if he allowed himself to feel any negative emotions. Something he had forbidden himself from doing. At least for tonight.

Burying his face in his Buddy's shaggy, blonde hair, Kaiba couldn't resist inhaling that beautifully familiar scent of candied apples and honey. It was while he was inhaling deeply and contemplating the way Buddy had returned to him that a certain incident sprung, unbidden, into his mind.

Kaiba was standing with a duel disk on his arm while Joey Wheeler was huddled on the ground. A few of his cards scattered around him.

The fact that Joey had lost the duel to Kaiba was completely unsurprising. After all, no matter what anyone might say, Joey Wheeler was, and always would be, a third-rate duelist. However, what was surprising was how they had got into the duel in the first place.

Kaiba had just lost the Battle City semi-final championship match just lost to Yugi and was in no mood to play along with Yugi's irritation friendship speech. As a result he had dismissed in a particularly violent manner, "Depending on others is for the weak, Yugi, my future is in my own two hands. So keep your friendships to yourself! I'm not interested in having any pals to slow me down." However, even after making his thoughts on friendship glaringly obvious, Joey simply refused to accept them.

Instead, he had barred his path, claiming "Trust me, you need friends. Take away all your Kaiba Corp flunkees and who's left on your team?"

But things got even stranger. Even after grudgingly accepting to duel him, crushing him and calling the duel a "waste of time" Joey had refused to give up on him. Smiling yet another one of those now not-so-rare smiles, Kaiba heard the words ring in ears, as clearly as if they were being spoken.

"Wheeler, can't you just let it go?" Kaiba had asked Joey. "It's over."

"No." Joey had replied, slowly getting back to his feet, "It's not over, Kaiba! It's never over! Not with me, anyway. You may have beaten me in this duel. And you may even beat me in the next duel too. But I'm going to keep coming back until I win, Kaiba. That's cause Joey Wheeler doesn't give up!"

Kaiba sighed contentedly. If only he had recognised the true meaning behind Joey's words. Then he would have known Buddy would always come back. That Joey would never give up on him – ever. No matter how many times he was insulted, abused or tormented by the other boy, Joey wouldn't quit until he won Kaiba over.

Joey's POV

Joey tried to think of a moment when he had been as comfortable as he was now. He couldn't. The feelings of success and contentment went way beyond the happiness of completing a mission and that was extremely pleasant – even if it was a tad confusing.

"Geez" he thought to himself "Who knew expensive beds were so worth the money. I could definitely get used to this!"

Feeling a droplet of water land of his head, Joey struggled to open his tired eyes. Was there a leak in the roof or something? Peering up he caught a glimpse of Kaiba's face and for a few minutes Joey was mesmerised by it – completely unable to look away.

It was the face of someone who had caught a falling star. It was peaceful yet exuberant. An expression which made the tears dripping down his pale cheeks all the more confusing. Why was rich boy crying? Had he felt a pea under his mattress or something?

No matter. Joey wouldn't let Seto be sad. Not even for a moment. So, curling up into a ball, Joey buried himself into Kaiba's chest, nudging his head gently under Kaiba's chin and wrapping his disproportionately long tail around Kaiba's waist.

Little did he know that the tears falling were actually the outward manifestation of a melting heart…

*Kaiba's feelings at this point were inspired by the song "Leave out all the rest" by Linkin Park – an awesome song which I would definitely advise listening to if you haven't already heard it!

Woooah, who knew I could write in the dark in the early hours of morning for three and a half solid hours (I know it might seem like a lot but, to be honest, I did need to find parts of certain episodes to use as references;) I think one of the reasons I love this chapter so much is that it's a way for me to express what I've always believed to be the true motivation behind Joey and Kaiba's behaviour towards each other. Also, I find referencing real dialogue makes things a little more believable. Then again, I am slightly biased! What do you think?

Pleeeease review! I simply can't wait to write and post the next chapter…after all, not to give too much away or anything, but what's better than detailed emotions and flashbacks to prelude heavy drama?