Chapter 17

It took the usually cold hearted CEO-the one that always had the answers, the one that was adored and looked up to on everything; a whole three hours. He sat in his balcony rather perplexed and deep in thought. What should he do? He did not want to give up. More than anything, Kaiba wanted to follow his heart and keep fighting. But why should he keep fighting for something that was unattainable? It wasn't that the brunette thought he was better than Jounouchi by any means. Hell, Jounouchi was too good for him.

The problem was, why the hell would he fight for something that didn't even want him? He was definitely questioning whether or not he was forcing himself upon Jounouchi or not. From that night on, Kaiba vowed to completely surrender his heart over to reality. Jounouchi's heart was far beyond his reach, and quite frankly, there was nothing he could ever buy, do, or say to win him over.

"I lost," Kaiba murmured gently. He took the wine glass he had been holding and threw it across the area to hear it smash and shatter against the white concrete exterior of his manor, "I have lost him..."

Jounouchi awoke for school the next morning feeling like shit. He was sore and beaten. He managed to drag himself out of bed to throw on his school uniform and move over to the hallway quietly to use the bathroom. There was no sign of his father making him rather relieved that he had the apartment complex to himself to have some sort of emotional silence before he headed off for another chaotic school day.

The blonde looked himself over in the mirror and sighed. Between the beatings at school and home combined-even the best of his supply of make-up couldn't hide his freshly cut and busted lip and the bruise that laid ever so apparently below his right eye.

The male left the house somewhat satisfied with his appearance to immediately be surrounded by gawking reporters questioning him on his recent injuries.

'Did you and Kaiba-san get in a brawl?'

'Does this mean your relationship is over?'

Jounouchi sighed, "NO! We didn't! This is just from some jealous pricks, now if you'd kindly move the hell out of the way I'd like to get to my classes!"

This was going to be a rather long day, Jounouchi thought grimly.

School has been surprisingly uneventful. Nobody touched him. Nobody even dared to look at him due to the fact that Kaiba had already made it clear to everyone that if they touched Jounouchi, they would be dealing with the brunette CEO as well. However, what made today's school day so appalling was the fact that this was working without Kaiba even being here.

Jounouchi wondering just why Kaiba had skipped school but didn't question it within his mind at the moment. Yugi and everyone else hung out with him during lunch making the day seem a little easier and brighter. Even *Ryou* had managed to show up for today claiming he had been away because he had been so ill. Jounouchi knew better of course, Bakura always had kept a strong hold of control over his hikari and would hardly ever let the boy out; even for school. Of course, if you questioned Ryou himself about this, all he would do is blush, smile shyly, and look away to claim that Bakura treated him well and just meant well. That all he wanted to do was protect him.

The blonde haired youth sighed, just what was the relationship between Ryou and his yami? It seemed somewhat like Kaiba and his own deal... Jounouchi then realized what he thought and blushed furiously.

'There's no such thing between us...!' he thought harshly but the idiotic playful voice added, 'Yet.' right after that thought.

Jounouchi sighed and kindly told his conscious to shut the hell up. Class had soon ended after lunch.

"Want to hang out?" Yugi asked.

Jounouchi wondered if it would be safe to even head home. He wanted to stall and all but at the same time he wanted to go to Tragic again to see if he could find Kaiba.

"I'm planning to head to you-know-where actually," Jounouchi answered.

Yugi blushed, "Yami wanted to go…"

"You sure it's your crowd of people?" Jounouchi asked.

"I told him we would stand out too much. We can't really change our appearances too well like you can," Yugi answered.

"Well, my cover's blown now," explained Jounouchi with a nervous laugh.

"But with his power you're totally safe. I'm somewhat happy for you. You might have a happy ending," Yugi pointed out. The two friends walk down the hallway, and Jounouchi definitely felt a wave of pain hit through him. Two different types of pains, one being always having done this type of thing with Yugi since forever ago-until recently that is. In a way, he felt like he was abandoning his friends due to all of this fame he had gained thanks to Kaiba.

The second pain was from being away from Kaiba. He was so used to him being around. Yes, he found that rich prick to be repulsively annoying at times, but at the same time-he knew that Kaiba was his own person, and that's why Jounouchi found himself head-over-heels in love.

"Yugi! Are we going or not?" Honda exclaimed from the bottom of the stairwell.

"Hai! Just wait with Anzu and Bakura outside. Yami should meet up with you guys at the gates! I'll be right down," Yugi exclaimed happily.

Jounouchi smiled, he knew his friends wouldn't ever change even though he had.

"It's not exactly a happy ending. Truly, I think it's one-sided," Jounouchi answered.

Yugi blinked, "I think you're both blind. Anyway, I have to go see Yami before Anzu tries using her sweet charm to seduce him! I keep telling her that's he's mine." He pouted cutely before waving and skipping stairs to head down to meet his friends.

Jounouchi blinked. Blind? Really? He couldn't help but laugh, Yugi was so perceptive sometimes….

Kaiba was in a debate with himself-should he go to Tragic or stay home? While he had claimed that he had given up on Jounouchi but at the same time, the desire to see him was horrible right now.

"Just go already!" Mokuba snapped.

Kaiba jumped startled that his brother had quietly entered into the den.

"It's not that easy!" Kaiba defended.

"Says you! You're madly in love so don't even give me that crap about 'giving up' on him. You know better," Mokuba answered.

"I can't win him over," Kaiba hissed frustrated.

"It's not about winning someone over, have you ever thought about for once, not trying to buy him over and actually trying to seduce him with your own charm?" Mokuba asked.

Kaiba blinked, "What?"

"Come on! Kaiba you're money never spoke, you're an attractive man. You have the prowess to bring any woman to her knees-you were one of the most popularly demanded bachelors in the nation."

Kaiba never really paid attention to having that title upon him but now that he had thought about it, Jounouchi had never been awed by anything he gave him really. He had been amazed at the view at Mori and the simplistic drives they had taken and not the model of car it had been. Maybe, Kaiba really did have a chance.

"I hope this helped you make your decision dumbass," Mokuba said before leaving Kaiba to ponder. However, the debating and pondering wasn't so hard and didn't take so long this time.

Jounouchi was surrounded once again-admirers and curious people wondering who exactly who 'Seto Kaiba's new boy-toy'.

"So Kat is the infamous Jounouchi Katsuya, what an interesting twist," called out a voice.

Squeals emitted the room as silver stiletto heels clicked across the room. She was definitely the definition of seductive perfection if there was a word for it. Her brown hair was in a complicated up-do and her sparkly white tube dress clung onto her size-0 body perfectly. Ayaka Koutarou took every bit of attention away from Jounouchi within a single second.

"Koutarou-san," acknowledged Jounouchi.

'They know eachother?'

'Kaiba-sama was here with her before he was smitten with Jounouchi!'

'Love triangle?'

"It's so nice to see you here. I'm surprised Seto-kun isn't with you. You guys have been quite an item with the press lately," Ayaka mused innocently.

"I apologize for taking the attention away from you," Jounouchi said before walking past her, "If you're after Seto, please know that you're out of your league no matter what title you have."

Ayaka looked stunned that Jounouchi had just blown her off for the dance floor where the blonde smiled requesting a song to the DJ before moving to the beat in a ease that many dancers couldn't even match with the transition that had just came up.

"So that's how you're going to play?" Ayaka asked deviously as she moved into his range.

"You're in my way," Jounouchi answered with a smirk as he slid past her with the double meaning.

Ayaka looked insulted before moving against his body only to be pushed away.

"How about you give up Seto-kun before my Uncle makes a move on your sister?'" she threatened quietly and bluntly.

Jounouchi continued to move to the cheers of the crowd in awe that Ayaka and Jounouchi's dancing skills were opposite but on the same skill level, "Mess with my sister and I swear you will be out of the business."

"What makes you think you're so safe?"

The blonde smiled as he saw Kaiba enter in all of his glory making the crowd silence as the music continued to blare, "Because, I have him." With that he moved across the room away from a very stunned Koutarou Ayaka.

Kaiba's eyes widened as he spotted Jounouchi and Ayaka on the same dance floor. Surprisingly, Jounouchi didn't even look fazed. If anyone had known him well-they would have seen the annoyance in his eyes but the smirk on his face fooled the crowd. Ayaka murmured something inaudible for Kaiba to hear but Jounouchi only grinned dangerously before answering and walking over to him.

If it wasn't for Kaiba's image being threatened, he would have laughed at the jaw-drop that Ayaka had on her face in that moment.

"Katsuya…"

"Why weren't you at school?" Jounouchi asked.

"I didn't think you'd miss me," answered Kaiba teasingly.

"I didn't! I…I just…"

Kaiba smirked before whispering into his ear, "You can't last a day without me koibito?"

The blonde blushed furiously pushing away, "There you go again!" He moved out of Tragic instantly as Kaiba followed.

"Are you hungry?" Kaiba asked.

Jounouchi blinked and shook his head 'no' but the sound of his stomach betrayed him. Kaiba chuckled at the sound before replying, "Liar."

"Fine! What do you have in mind oh great and mighty Kaiba-sama?" Jounouchi sarcastically exclaimed as he walked over to the red Ferrari.

"Something simple, I was thinking possibly something away from all of this and somewhere quiet," Kaiba suggested.

Jounouchi sighed, "If you're renting out a-"

"No. We'll do things how you want them tonight."

The smaller male looked rather stunned. Kaiba was going for the idea of some commoner food? That was definitely a shock. Had hell frozen over?

"Really? Are you sure?" Jounouchi asked.

"What exactly do you have in mind?" Kaiba asked with his own question.

The blonde blushed and looked away, "I was thinking…" he mumbled softly barely audible for Kaiba to understand, "Of cooking for you and maybe eating outside since it's nice out tonight."

The CEO grinned, "Why would you do that when I have all the money in the world for people to cook for you and I?"

"Shut up! Maybe I WANT to!" Jounouchi snapped before opening the door to the Ferrari and hiding behind the windows of the car. Kaiba couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's shyness and let himself into the driver's side of the car before revving up the engine and driving off to the expressway.

The drive was calming to both of their minds. They had not totally forgotten about Ayaka Koutarou but decided for now, not to ponder on it. They had arrived at the manor in no time as Kaiba pushed on the gas as they sped past the gates. The wind went through their hair and Jounouchi felt for once, free from everything he was bound to.

They exited and entered into the quiet mansion. It was strange not seeing busy maids and butlers scrambling and bowing to greet them. It was dark and Kaiba had then grabbed his hand to lead him past the entrance way and through various corridors until they reached the kitchen.

"Tell me what you need and I'll find it," Kaiba announced quietly.

"Things for miso and gyoza," Jounouchi answered shortly.

Kaiba moved across the kitchen a couple times before placing what ingredients were needed in front of Jounouchi.

"Satisfactory?" Kaiba asked.

Jounouchi nodded rather impressed that a rich-boy like Kaiba knew what exactly went into these types of foods.

Jounouchi began cutting up the tofu quietly as he waited for the water to simmer. He then noticed Kaiba also moving around the place and using the second stove as well.

"Wha-?" Jounouchi was shocked.

"Stir Fry by yours truly," Kaiba announced as he moved the rice around with the veggies with chopsticks.

Apparently, rich boys also knew how to cook. How shocking was that?

"You're an idiot for even thinking such things," Kaiba announced as he had read his mind. Jounouchi jumped and blushed furiously at being caught as he placed ingredients in over time. He began forming gyoza as Kaiba loomed over him watching his every move. It was making him incredibly nervous.

"Mn, for you to be man you'd make a wonderful housewife," Kaiba murmured into his ear.

The small male jumped and pushed him away feeling his face flame furthermore with embarrassment, "SHUT UP AND MAKE YOUR DAMN STIRFRY!"

Kaiba laughed as he strolled over to his food that was finishing up. Jounouchi couldn't help but think on Kaiba's words. How natural this felt and how much he wanted to put love and care into his cooking. He felt awkward and made little mistakes that he naturally, would have never made if it wasn't for this being for the man next to him.

At last, dinner had been completed and everything was presented on glass plates and bowls as Kaiba grabbed a bottle of cider from the refrigerator and carried the food outside of the kitchen and up the stairs where Jounouchi followed silently.

He noticed the familiar doorway of Kaiba's bedroom and walked through the doorway where Kaiba sat the food down carefully and drew back curtains to reveal a balcony. The doors opened and Jounouchi did his part to carry the food the middle glass table.

"It figures that you'd have something like this in your room," Jounouchi stated.

"You wanted to eat outside. What's better than to eat where you can see a full view?" Kaiba asked with a smirk.

Jounouchi couldn't help but agree. Kaiba had not turned on any of the lights to the outside balcony and only faint lights of the city were in the distance. Larger buildings could be seen but the soft sounds of fountains from the property below relaxed Jounouchi's nerves only slightly. He sat down with Kaiba across him-who couldn't help but gaze at him.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Jounouchi.

"How in awe you are-how wonderful it is just to spend time with you," Kaiba stated.

Why was it, that everything that Kaiba was saying was too perfect to be true? Jounouchi's defenses came up instantly as he began to distract himself with his food.

"People are starting to think we're no longer an item."

"I didn't escort you anywhere until this evening is possibly why," Kaiba stated dismissively.

"Why were you away from school?" Jounouchi asked. Kaiba smirked at such a question, "I didn't feel like going."

The blonde blinked, "That was it?"

It was like this boy was prying into his soul, or so Kaiba thought.

"I give up, Katsuya," Kaiba answered with a smile.

"Wha-?" Jounouchi began. What was he talking about?

(A/N: I'M SO SORRY! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. I tired to make it as long as possible to apologize for such a long wait. If you're still reading, thank you for being so faithful and patient with me! Lately, real life has hit me hard. In April I had the Cherry Blossom Festival to tend to and I actually performed in it, right before then (a week before actually) I had gotten mugged and my boyfriend was in the hospital…then college stuff kicked my ass, then Fanime…and now I'm moving out of my house and graduating high school. It seems like a lot of excuses but I hope you guys understand and I definitely thought you all deserved some answers for my absence.

NOW for the amazing part of this author's note…I HAVE RECEIVED FANART...NOT JUST ANY FANART….COMIC SCENE FANART…the wonderful artist KomiiDuckie from DeviantArt illustrated Kaiba and Jounouchi's first kiss and all. 3 I literally died and wanted to cry because seeing my imagery come to life in art was just utterly amazingly kick ass. So please head over to DeviantArt, go to KomiiDuckie's account, check out her work…SHOW HER LOVE!)