KD: Now we're finally at the chapter everyone's been waiting for, and by everyone we mean us. Seriously, this is probably one of our favorite chapters, so take it and like it. :P Btw, anyone who can spot the inspiration for the chapter title, gets a golden cookie.

Chapter Ten: Feathers and Fedoras

Songs for chapter:

Had Enough- Breaking Benjamin

Freak on a leash- KORN

"Where's Kaiba? I'm gonna kill him!" Joey shouted, bursting into the living room where Mokuba was getting fitted into his grim reaper costume.

Upon seeing Joey, Mokuba burst out laughing. "Wow, Joey. That's quite an outfit."

Joey was dressed in what could pass as a bondage outfit, a black tank with detachable sleeves that started half way down his biceps and ended at his hands in fingerless gloves. His matching black pants were tight-fitted at the top with loose fitted belts decorating his waste. But the best part by far was the perked-up, sand-colored dog ears and upright fluffy tail.

"When I get a hold of him, I'm gonna take that gravity-defying coat of his, wrap it around his neck and…"

"What are you barking about now, Wheeler?" Seto asked, stepping into the room.

"Wow! See, Seto, I told you that outfit would look great on you!" Mokuba stated happily.

Seto was dressed as an earl with a gray suit, a top hat, and even a monocle. He looked very refined. After getting passed the slight ridiculousness of it, Joey might have found him to be rather attractive had he not been in such a temper.

"Rgh… Kaiba," Joey growled. "You're a sick bastard, you know that?"

Seto exhaled wearily before telling Mokuba to get the car ready. Mokuba complied and ran out of the room, being careful not to trip over his robes.

"Is there a reason you're being more aggravating than usual?" Seto asked casually.

"Look at me! I look like the poster boy for furry bondage!" Joey shouted.

"Well, if you're enjoying that then you're going to love this," Seto said smartly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a sleek black box. He opened it, and when Joey saw what was inside he crossed his arms.

"No way. I'd rather saw off my own hands."

"It's for the outfit," Seto told him, taking it from the box.

"I said 'no'!"

"Bad dog."

"Don't call me that!"

"I'm not doing this to be demeaning," said Seto seriously, and the look in his eyes caught Joey off guard. "I'm indirectly showing everyone what is rightfully mine."

Joey flushed. Seto's word confused him, as he didn't really understand what the young CEO meant. All he knew was he didn't appreciate the idea of being owned. He didn't want to wear the outfit in front of dozens of people who he didn't even know. He didn't want to go to this party. But Seto had asked him, even gave him a choice in the matter. He could have easily forced Joey, but didn't.

*Flashback 1 week ago*

(Oh snap! A flashback within a flashback. It's just like inception!)

"Wheeler, I see you have Friday off of work next week." Seto said, looking over the work schedules for Kaiba Land in his usual chair while Joey and Mokuba's faces were inches away from the TV playing video games.

Of course I have weekends off, you're the one that does the schedule, Joey thought to himself, struggling to stay absorbed in the video game. He was losing to Mokuba and didn't want to lose his concentration.

"So that means you can come to the Halloween party Pegasus is hosting." Seto said, knowing that Joey was only half paying attention to him.

"Yah….Gah!" Joey said, standing up, pressing the button's harder, knowing he would lose any second now.

"It's a costume party," Seto lightly groaned. He hated parties; they were a waste of time, but he knew he had to go for social networking business purposes. He heard Joey moan in defeat while Mokuba flashed a quick victory pose. "The party is at 8:00 so make sure you are at the mansion no later than 4:00 to get ready." Seto said, now scrolling through the list of invitees to that party.

"Wha? Why do I have to be at your house at 8 o' clock?" Joey said, confused.

Seto sent a piercing glare to Joey, making sure he paid attention to him this time, "I hate going to parties, however I need to go to them for business purposes. Pegasus is hosting a Halloween costume party this Friday and I want you to come. Your misery at the party will help my night go by faster."

Joey clenched his teeth. "And what makes ya think I'll agree to go?"

"You don't have to go, Wheeler…" Seto started, but was soon interrupted

"Then there's my answer." Joey snatched the controller, ready to play again.

"But Joey, if you don't go I won't have anyone to talk to," Mokuba said while looking up at Joey with round grey eyes. "I really wanted you to come."

Joey stared down at the kid and suddenly felt conflicted. He supposed he did owe Mokuba since he was letting Joey play video games that haven't even been released yet. Besides, how bad could this party be? It's only one night. Joey played out the scenario's in his head of what could happen if he goes, aka the food he would be eating, "Fine Kaiba, I'll go." Joey agreed.

*end of flashback*

However, Joey had no recollection of Seto ever mentioning a doggy bondage costume anywhere in the conversation. Yet, the way Seto was looking at Joey now…. his blue eyes gripped him tight and refused to let him go.

Joey lowered his head and uttered a single word. "Fine." Seto's expression didn't change, but he moved forward so that he was standing in front of Joey. He wrapped the leather black collar with diamond shaped studs around Joey's neck and moved it so that the dog tag, which was shaped like a dragon, was in front. "Well… at least it looks kinda cool," Joey thought, lightly pawing at the dog tag with his name engraved on it.

Seto then clasped a matching leash on the collar, wrapping the holding edge around his wrist, "Let's go, mutt." Seto lightly pulled on the leash.

"Woof woof." Joey said sarcastically.

Seto turned around and patted his head, "Good boy," and continued to lead him to the limo.

They went outside to the limo where Mokuba was waiting for them. Joey was grateful that he made no further commentary on the outfit or the leash, even though laughter was dancing in his wide grey eyes. The car ride was fairly silent, with Seto sitting next to the window and glaring out into the darkness, Mokuba trying to adjust his outfit, and Joey absentmindedly fingering the metal tag on his collar. He really hoped that there wouldn't be anyone who recognized him…. Well, with the exception of Pegasus of course.

When the limo finally stopped and they got out of the car, Joey saw that they were in the downtown area in front of an excessively large building whose windows were brightly lit. Its appearance alone was enough to suggest that the guest list was exclusive. He felt a light tugging on his leash as Seto began to walk towards the entrance as if he owned the thing, which wouldn't surprise Joey in the slightest. Once inside, Joey's jaw dropped. They were in a very large ballroom filled with wealthy-looking people dressed up in elegant and colorful costumes. The room was lavishly decorated and it certainly wasn't like any Halloween party Joey had ever seen in his life. His examination of the room ended when his eyes found the buffet and his mouth almost immediately began to water at the sight of all the food piled up on three long tables.

"I think I just died and went to heaven," he thought wistfully.

"Kaiba-boy, I'm so glad you made it," a fantabulously loud voice squealed from across the room in delight.

"Pegasus," Seto said, moving towards him, "I see you look as ostentatious as ever." Seto said, noting the toon-themed costume he was wearing.

"Mmmm. Thank you." He said, striking a pose. "Oh yes, I apologize for forgetting to wish you happy birthday a few days ago. I was watching a marathon of my favorite cartoon show and it completely slipped my mind."

"Huh? Kaiba's birthday?" Joey thought looking up at Seto in confusion. "I wonder why he didn't say anything… not that I care of course. Then again, the guy doesn't seem big on celebrating anything in general."

"Well, I have other guests to greet. Have fun, Kaiba boy." Pegasus walked away, ready to greet other guests walking in. "Welcome, Devlin boy." He yelled as Duke walked to him surrounded by his usual entourage of cheerleaders. Duke was dressed as a pimp, fedora and all.

As the voice started walking closer, Seto took the leash off of Joey. "Be a good boy while your master's away." Joey thought his face was flushing in anger to that statement, but his eyes soon veered to the food tables once again, and he scampered over there.

Mokuba went off roaming around to see if he could find someone his age at the party. Seto was thinking about finding a corner to stand in for the duration of the party, when he heard another nerve-grating voice he had hoped to avoid.

"Vell, vell, if it isn't Herr Kaiba," said a thickly German accented voice.

Seto turned to see a very effeminate looking male with long lavender hair dressed in a masquerade outfit, his robes a bright periwinkle and his mask lavishly feathered; just looking at it made Seto ill. The man was Zigfried von Schroeder, one of Seto's bigger competitors.

"I never vould have expected you to come to an occasion such as this," Zigfried said while tossing his hair back over his shoulder. "I must say, zhat outfit is very becoming of you."

Zigfried kept talking for a few more minutes so Kaiba tuned him out to keep himself from getting a much unwanted headache. Zigfried was one of several reasons Seto hated going to parties, but he certainly made the top three. "Vell, Kaiba, I'll see you at the next technology conference, and I assure you Zigfried Corporation vill be on top." He gave a flippant wave and walked away.

Seto began to look around the room to see who else had shown up that was on the list he saw, but his eyes moved to Joey. His plate was stacked with enough food to normally feed four people, but he knew his little pup would eat every bite and still go back for seconds.

"Hey, Joey, how's the food?' Mokuba inquired, appearing next to the blond and grabbing a plate.

"Wit's werishous." Joey said with a full mouth. Mokuba looked at Joey, confused to what he just said, but assumed that the food was good since he was still eating it. "This chicken is the best I ever had." Joey said after finally swallowing.

"Um, Joey, that's Squab." Mokuba said after smelling it and taking a nibble.

"What's Squab? A fancy chicken?" Joey took another bite out of it, looking like he was in heaven.

"It's pigeon. Not chicken." Mokuba said. Joey's face turned green after hearing that.

"Hehehe, you're joking, Mokuba? Right?" Joey said, swallowing his latest bite hard.

Mokuba noticed this and really didn't want Joey making a spectacle. "Of course, Joey, you know me. You're right, it's just rich people chicken." He said with a lying laugh.

Mokuba took some tripe off one of the silver platters and placed it on his plate. Joey took a big whiff of it. "What's that? It smells great." Joey said with his mouth starting to drool.

Mokuba froze up for a minute. "How about you just eat the food without asking what it is. After all, this is just rich people food." Mokuba said, slowly backing up before Joey could ask him about any more of the food.

Joey kept eating his "chicken" back in his own little world, till he heard a familiar dulcet voice heading towards him. "Look what the dog dragged in." Joey turned around, with a bone still in his mouth, to see Duke Devlin right behind him. "I thought this was an exclusive party. So how did a mutt like you get in? Girls, leave us for a minute," he said, winking at them. The girls walked away from Duke, squealing and causing a few heads to turn.

"I could say the same to you, Duke. What's a dice freak like you doing here?" Joey said in sheer confusion. Seto told him that this was an exclusive party for only rich and powerful people and the last time he saw Duke, he was neither.

Duke approached Joey and started to play the dog tag on the collar, "Dice Monsters has taken off in the past few months, and it's now played in over 45 countries." Duke dropped the dog tag and lightly touched beneath Joey's chin with his index finger. "So who here is your master mutt?" Duke said, his eyes scanning the room.

"No one is my master. I'm my own man," Joey said, grabbing Duke's wrist and throwing it off with all his force.

"Well, aren't you a fierce little mutt. I'll see you around then." Duke said sauntering off, his fan girls soon to follow.

Joey grumbled to himself. "Great, why of all people did dice boy have to see me like this? Now he's probably going to tell Tom, Dick, and Harry that I'm a bondage puppy."

Joey decided to find somewhere less crowded to linger, but not before loading up another plate, this time with deserts. He escaped from the main ball room into one of the darkened, vacant hallways. He found a good spot behind a large fern, and sat down. He munched on his dessert while mulling over things in his head. It was a good thing Kaiba hadn't been around at the time, otherwise things would have been all kinds of awkward. Of course it was Kaiba's fault he was in this situation in the first place.

Why did he ever agree to this? Didn't he hate Kaiba? By all rights he should! Treating him like some slave puppy, using his authority to get him to do whatever he wanted. And then putting him in this stupid outfit! As his self imposed aggravation began to build up, he grabbed the front of the collar around his neck, intending to tear it off. But when he felt the outline of the metal dragon tag against his palm, he hesitated. "What's wrong with me?" He questioned himself. "Why am I letting myself get pushed around by this guy?"

The car ride back to the Kaiba mansion was a quiet one. Mokuba was passed out asleep on Seto's lap -it was way past his bed time- and Joey was looking out the window with a melancholy face. He was glad that the party was finally over and really wanted to just go straight home, but he couldn't because his clothing was at Seto's place.

When they got to the mansion, Seto carried Mokuba up to his bedroom, and laid him in his bed. Joey found his clothing and quickly ripped the costume off, hoping to forget the night. He got dressed with a sigh, and tried leaving the house before Seto noticed he was gone.

"Where do you think you're going, Wheeler?" Seto asked while walking down the stairs, towards in front of the main door his coat flaring out in the process. He was back in his normal clothes too. "I don't remember telling you that you could leave."

Joey froze for a slight moment, dropping his hand form the door knob. "And since when do I have to listen to you, Kaiba?"

"Well, seeing as you're still wearing your collar," Seto noted coolly.

Joey hadn't even realized. At having Seto point it out to him, Joey made a fist, and something inside him finally snapped. "That's it! I've had enough of this crap! What do you even want from me? One day you are such an ass, ordering me around and making me wear ridiculous costumes and then some days you do crazy things like… touching me and…" Joey couldn't force himself to finish the sentence, but instead he grabbed Kaiba by the shirt, "Is my life some joke to you, Kaiba? Is that why you screw with me like this?" Joey let go of Seto, tossing him back. "Get this straight. I'm not your mutt, pup, or dog," Joey grabbed the collar still around his neck, and clenched it tight in his palm, "and I won't let you treat me like one anymore." Joey pulled hard on the band, and ripped it off, throwing it to the ground at Seto's feet. Joey's neck was throbbing in pain, but he was too filled with anger to care at the moment. Joey stormed out the mansion his head swirling with even more confusion than before.

"What the hell have I done? But Kaiba had it coming ever since that first night. He just treats me like a pet or toy. Just because he has money he has this idea he can do whatever the hell he wants." Joey stopped walking and punched the stone wall next to him, creating a little crack.

KD: It seems like there's just no hope for these two? Or is there? I call for divine intervention, by the power of Ra! Anyway, guess you'll just have to wait and see what happens next. Please review, we feel very unloved. (pout)