[A/N]: I finally got this one up... x_x I've been doing my best to work at this where I can find the time, and I think I've done a good job about doing it thus far. 8D Hopefully I can get the next chapter up sooner than I did this one. It's a hope.
So much schoolwork...
Again, thanks to all who are taking the time to review. I like to know your thoughts and see comments; it helps me!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-oh!, nor any of its characters.
The rest of Jonouchi's morning went by in a blur. He couldn't withdraw his thoughts from the strange and highly unusual absence of Kaiba; it was plaguing him. He inadvertently found his attention being drawn to Kaiba's empty desk, staring it down as if looking long enough would cause the brunette in question to magically appear, attentive to the class as always. Though, no such luck was bestowed upon him.
His lunch hour was spent in much silence as he sat with his rowdy friends, the lot of them carrying on as usual; however, both Honda and Yugi took notice to his out of character behaviour. This inevitably caught the attention of both Anzu and Otogi as well, both of whom were now attentive to Jonouchi's quiet demeanour. Jonouchi was fervent in relaying to his friends that he was fine, though no one seemed keen on taking his word for it.
"Are you sure you're alright? You seem perplexed," Yugi retorted, his large eyes set intently on Jonouchi, of whom was looking elsewhere, mostly at his plate of food. He didn't want to give way that he was perturbed, though little did he realize at that moment that leering at his plate like a sullen child was only going to reinforce the unwanted notion.
"I've told ya already, I'm fine."
"If there's anything wrong you can always tell us," Yugi paused and took a moment of consideration before inclining his head toward Jonouchi, "Is it your work load?"
This elicited a chuckle from Honda which earned him a baleful glance from Jonouchi. Honda being the way he was, however, ignored the warning and as in his nature made a playful jab at Jonouchi, "He's been taking the work load just fine from what I've gathered. A right diligent worker, he is..."
"Shut it, would ya?" Jonouchi snapped, the intensity of his irritation growing ever higher. He knew that Honda meant well, that his teasing was in all rights harmless and playful, but Jonouchi was in no mood for it today. What irritated him all the more was the fact that his foul mood was brought on by Kaiba's absence from school. Was there really any reason to get so worked up about it? Maybe it wasn't all that unusual, people missed class all the time-even teachers sometimes call in and acquire a substitute for the day.
It couldn't be helped, however. Jonouchi was concerned and there wasn't anything in the world that could console him-unless, of course, Kaiba happened to simply waltz on into the cafeteria. That hopeful prospect seemed unlikely.
Yugi frowned at Honda and then returned his attention to the glowering blonde next to him, "We'll just leave it alone till you feel like talking about it, all right?"
Jonouchi glanced at Yugi and nodded, the sour expression on his face having lightened minutely, "Yeah, thanks..."
From then on the group carried on as usual, conversing, laughing and plain old carrying on with one another, or at least they tried. Everyone found it difficult to enjoy their lunch period on account of Jonouchi. That wasn't to say that anyone was displeased with him, but that throughout the circle of friends each and every one of them felt the weight of concern for Jonouchi on their shoulders.
And so the day plowed onward, ending for Jonouchi just as soon as it had begun.
Jonouchi was sure that due to his lack of focus throughout the day, that he had absorbed relatively nothing from his classes. He rushed past his locker and bailed out from the building. Of course, he'd have to carry a heavier load home, but he wasn't quite feeling up to anymore questions about his mood or any other jokes from Honda, even if they weren't of any bad intent.
But how could he go straight home when he was in such a rut of concern like this? Before he could go home and comfortably relax for the rest of the day, Jonouchi knew that for the sake of his sanity, he had to go to Kaiba's. He felt intrusive due to this desire, though it did little to stop him from going nonetheless.
He meandered his way through the city streets, self-set on autopilot.
In his mind he kept replaying various scenarios that would have kept Kaiba from going to class, each one worse than the last. It would be foolish to say that Jonouchi had any rational thought in mind as the reason. Each and every idea that came to his mind was outlandish in some way. It's entirely possible that the dramatic depths of his mind had even, briefly, imagined the possibility of an alien abduction.
He arrived at Kaiba's manor within the hour and, of course, was greeted by the infamous gates he had encountered on his last visit. With an exasperated sigh, Jonouchi hit the button on the intercom and waited.
Of course, he suffered the same issue and last time. An argument with the man on the other side ensued, though compared to the last one it was rather short-lived. Jonouchi might have Kaiba to thank for that; it was the same man that Kaiba had berated the last time he was here. Jonouchi could only hope that said man had learned his place, at least enough to let Jonouchi by without it having to be a struggle and an effort.
The foreboding gates swung open and Jonouchi found himself nearly bolting up the walkway, and he did partially before slowing into a brisk walk. He didn't want to give off the impression that he was in a hurry or panicked after all. Though, in truth he was; the closer he got to Kaiba's house, the more the feeling increased. All the ridiculous ideas were still floating about in his mind, threatening to crumble his resolve.
However, when he reached the front door and it opened he paused, eyes wide as he met with the icy blue stare he had grown so fond of. A surge of relief intermittently ran through him and he felt himself let go of a heavy sigh, body and face relaxing.
"What are you doing here?" Kaiba's voice was hoarse, beneath his eyes were dark circles and his overall appearance seemed more disheveled than Jonouchi was accustomed to seeing. It only took a moment for Jonouchi to realize what had kept Kaiba from promptly getting to school, and with this realization came embarrassment. He had gotten worked up over nothing.
Kaiba was ill with a cold...
Suddenly all the crazy and outlandish ideas that had been running rampant in his mind seemed all the more crazy. He stood silent a moment, staring blankly at Kaiba. It wasn't until a scowl had spread across Kaiba's face that Jonouchi snapped out of it, clearing his throating to answer.
"You, uh... weren't in class today," he said dumbly. Silently he cursed himself as he awaited a response from the brunette.
Kaiba raised an inquisitive brow followed by the snarky remark of, "How kind of you to notice..."
Both stood in silence for a few moments, slowly becoming enveloped in the mighty jaws of awkwardness. It stretched further until Kaiba took initiative to break the silence.
"I do hope that wasn't your only reason for coming here..."
Jonouchi blinked and stared Kaiba down for a moment, opening and closing his mouth as he groped for something to say. He hestitated a moment and then swung his backpack from his shoulders and dropped it to the ground. He opened it and retrieved the papers he had been working on and held them out to Kaiba, though they were partially unfinished and mildly drooled on, but this wasn't the right time to dwell on his little dream last night.
"I collected a bunch of information for us..." He watched as Kaiba stared at the papers with a dubious eye. "I didn't get to finish what I was doing with it, though. Did you want to work on it together?" he added the last part with an air of nervousness, though he tried his best to keep it concealed.
Kaiba lifted his gaze from the paper to Jonouchi and quirked a brow, "You do realize I'm down with a cold, don't you?"
Jonouchi nodded curtly and flashed the brunette a smile, "Of course I did. It doesn't bother me any; I've got a pretty decent immune system!"
The pair stared at each in silence once again before Kaiba gave a save and relinquished enough to step aside and create room for Jonouchi to enter his home.
"Come in..." he said with half-irritation, though clearly unable to refuse the prospect of completing more work.
Jonouchi's smile broadened and obliged, rushing past Kaiba with such glee that it would have been difficult to believe he had been downtrodden just earlier that day.