"What do you want?"

Kaiba could feel the corners of his mouth twitching as Jonouchi caught up with him, standing only a few feet away as a few heads turned. He tried not to get distracted by the stares, looking down at Jonouchi's smirking grin before putting his briefcase down and crossing his arms against his chest. Knowing Jonouchi, it would probably be a while before their little confrontation would be over.

"I just didn't expect to see you here," Jonouchi said, putting his hands on his hips and smiling wide. "So has the shock from our last little encounter worn off yet, or should I still be watching out for men in black and sleeping with one eye open?"

"You tell me," Kaiba spat back, "Do I have a reason to be calling my security over right now or will you buzz off on your own?"

He didn't give Jonouchi a chance to answer. Picking up the handle of his briefcase, Kaiba turned heel and walked right out the door, leaving Jonouchi behind. It was highly likely that the moron would just follow him, if only to be annoying, but at least now Kaiba could avoid making a scene.

No one else needed to know about how Jonouchi had humiliated him by winning in a back alley Duel. The fewer people around to hear them argue, the better.

It was just a shame that Jonouchi was so quick on his feet; Kaiba hadn't even made it down the steps to the main entry of the park before a head of blond hair caught his peripheral vision.

"Stop following me."

"I wouldn't have had to if you hadn't stormed off in a hissy fit. Hasn't anyone ever taught you that it's rude to leave in the middle of a conversation?" Jonouchi quipped, easily matching Kaiba's stride. He laced his hands behind his head and turned to stare at Kaiba.

"You barking at me isn't a conversation," snipped Kaiba back, "It's you disturbing the peace. Don't you have something better to be doing with your time right now?"

Jonouchi had just won a respectable tournament title. Surely he'd be looking to go celebrate with friends, since he seemed to like get-togethers. Usually Kaiba enjoyed his time alone after victories, but he didn't think Jonouchi was the sort of person who could appreciate the peace that came from self-company.

"Go run along now and play with your friends..."

Humming to himself, Jonouchi stared up at the sky before answering. "Nice try, but you're not gonna get rid of me that easily," he laughed. He peered down at Kaiba's briefcase, drawing his vision up to note Kaiba's clothes. "And what about you? Ditching work? It's so rare for you to be outdoors before nightfall. You might just even get a tan if you're not too careful," he joked.

"How I choose to spend my time is none of your concern," said Kaiba as he quickened his pace. He shot Jonouchi a brief look, his eyes straining from the combination of sunlight and his growing headache before fixing his gaze back towards the end of the park.

He could hardly believe it. Jonouchi Katsuya, chasing him out of his own theme park. How things had changed...

But Jonouchi wouldn't relent, catching up to Kaiba and shoulder-checking him for good measure. "Hey, no reason to get all testy. I'm just trying to have a normal conversation with you."

"You have no reason to. We're not friends. Not even good acquaintances."

In fact, Kaiba could vaguely remember a time when he had tried to kill Jonouchi, back when he wasn't quite himself. Things were much different now, but still. He couldn't understand why on earth Jonouchi would be hoping to chit-chat like buddies, considering their crappy history together.

Jonouchi rolled his eyes. "God, are you still feeding yourself that bullshit? I would've figured you'd have grown tired of the taste by now," he snickered. "I can't believe you'd just say that, after all we've been through together."

"I wasn't around your company by choice, Jonouchi," Kaiba tried to counter, his face tensing up as he recalled the incident with Pegasus that led to their meeting in Duelist Kingdom, among other events, "But now that I do, I'd rather be spared the friendship speeches you might have prepared... Listening to Yugi harp on about having heart is one thing, but I'll be damned if I give you another second of my time."

"Methinks his highness doth protest too much," Jonouchi lilted, clutching at his chest in mock-offense before laughing out loud. "You're seriously one tough nut to crack, Kaiba Seto. You can't tell me you just 'put up' with us all that time."

"You think I stayed around because your company was just so thrilling?" Kaiba shot back, snorting before stopping altogether and spinning on his heel so he was facing Jonouchi directly, "Recall all the times I was dealt with you people. Can you do that?"

Jonouchi stopped as well, puffing out his chest slightly. "I don't need to. You sure hung around enough. I know you had a hard-on for Atem and all, but you must have realized we all came as a package deal. Or did that slip your genius brain?"

Kaiba could feel something in his brain tick as the words hit him, his eyes expanding and contracting before he just turned away again and left. He wasn't going to even entertain Jonouchi's theory, it hit far too close to home for comfort. Whatever Jonouchi thought he knew was grossly incorrect, and Atem had been destined to be his rival. That had nothing to do with the nerd herd and how they had latched themselves to him; Kaiba's relationship was separate. It had nothing to do with any of the rest of them, outside maybe Yugi.

"You don't know what you're talking about..." grumbled Kaiba under his breath. He wasn't even sure if he was just saying that out loud to comfort himself or to shut Jonouchi up, who was once again trotting behind to stay alongside Kaiba's quick pace.

"Hey, take it easy. I was only kidding—you don't have to get so twisted about it," Jonouchi placated. "All I'm saying is, you can't deny we have a history, and that history may even include acquaintance. Or heaven forbid, friendship."

"Friendship," Kaiba parroted before turning his face to look at Jonouchi, his mouth twisted into a forced grin although his eyes did not smile, "What exactly does that entail?"

"How about you talking to me like a normal person," Jonouchi said easily, "For starters."

Kaiba's face fell.

"I'm not a normal person," he answered back, looking away, "so you shouldn't expect me to talk like one, too."

Jonouchi nudged at Kaiba's shoe with his foot. "Have you ever tried to be? It's not like I can say I'm exactly normal," he continued, scratching at the back of his head, "but it's not like it's especially hard. C'mon, I know you have it in you."

"I don't even know what 'normal' is anymore. I've never seen it in my life.

"Now if you don't mind, I do have people today I need to speak to that aren't you."

That was actually a bald-faced lie, but Kaiba had such a poker face, he doubted Jonouchi would figure that out. After canceling all his appointments for the day and the following to rest, the only person Kaiba really needed to talk to was Mokuba, who refused to speak to him. There wasn't much that could be done about that until the kid decided to get his head out of his ass, so Kaiba just settled for taking some time off...maybe hide in his private home office and work on some projects to pass the time and get through his more frequent headaches.

"Your life is an appointment book. Reschedule them," Jonouchi smirked.

"No."

Jonouchi whistled low underneath his breath. "Fine, fine. Well if the big Kaiba doesn't want to play, then maybe the little one will," he remarked, taking his cell phone out from his back pocket and flipping it open.

"Are you trying to threaten me?"

"How is calling Mokuba a threat?" Jonouchi asked exasperatedly as he scrolled through his contacts. "Unlike you, your brother at least appreciates 'friendship.'"

"He's also in California currently, so good luck reaching him at this hour."

Jonouchi paused, his hand halfway to his ear. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Business."

Snorting, Jonouchi pocketed his phone, "It figures he takes after you." He released a big sigh before turning his sights back onto Kaiba. "So I guess you're stuck entertaining me," he said, plastering an obnoxious grin on his face.

Kaiba just stared at Jonouchi for a second before his face twitched. How Jonouchi came to that conclusion, he didn't know. It wasn't logical.

"I'm not required to spend time with you. You're not my brother."

Jonouchi cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, you consider spending time with a sibling a requirement? Makes me feel sorry for the kid," he sniffed.

"Whatever. Stop picking at my words and fuck off already..."

Making a quick hand motion towards Jonouchi's general direction, Kaiba just waved his presence away before changing direction and walking towards a lesser-known Kaiba Land exit. He couldn't take anymore of the sun beating down on them while Jonouchi continued to pick at him, and Kaiba wished he had enough sense to call a car to pick him up instead of having to walk all the way back to the office to drive his own back home.

He didn't want to go back to Kaiba Mansion. The old house felt like a crypt, and who knew, maybe Jonouchi would get the genius idea of following Kaiba there, too.

Wouldn't surprise him, at this point.

Jonouchi stood stupefied as he watched Kaiba's retreating form. Sure, he was used to Kaiba blowing him off—he'd always stood on the periphery of their social circle, floating in and out as he saw fit—but it wasn't like Jonouchi was trying to be especially obnoxious. For a moment he just stared, looking around and then back to Kaiba, his right leg bobbing on its heel restlessly.

Impulsively he took off sprinting, catching Kaiba as he neared the exit. Slowing to a jog so as to not alarm the other man, Jonouchi managed to rush ahead and stopped a few feet in front of Kaiba, blocking his path.

"Hey," he said, somewhat winded and fumbling. Now that he was here, he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

"What? Stop getting in my way," Kaiba seethed before maneuvering around Jonouchi's blockade, rolling his eyes as he heard swears coming from behind him.

Once again, Jonouchi found himself following after Kaiba, settling for walking beside him since the other seemed keen on avoiding him. "Fucking hell, Kaiba—you sure know how to make a guy chase after you," he sighed.

Kaiba merely snorted in response.

They walked for a block in silence, before Jonouchi cleared his throat. "Hey. So are you, like, hungry or anything?"

"No, and even if I was, I wouldn't eat with you for company..."

"Tch," Jonouchi glowered at Kaiba and continued, "Rude. You must be fucking starving, since you seem to be in a piss-poor mood. Well, I'm hungry, and I'd prefer not to eat alone. Hell, I'll even treat."

"I don't take handouts, Jonouchi. If I felt like eating, I'd get my own food," grumbled Kaiba as he briefly gazed down at Jonouchi's face before looking up again and sighing. "Besides, can't you find someone else to irritate?"

Rolling his eyes, Jonouchi took out his phone and started playing with it. "I'm gonna ignore that first comment. And nope, why should I when you're conveniently here?" he snickered. Flipping through a few screens, his face alighted with a mischievous smirk. "Don't fight it—it's been decided. You're having lunch with me. And nope, you don't have to like it."

"...What do you think you're doing?"

Kaiba just stood there glaring as Jonouchi started laughing annoyingly, staring at his phone like it was the key to his plan. It made Kaiba want to grab it and smash it against the pavement, but he knew that would only land him in bigger trouble (maybe even blackmailed) and definitely some bad press when people talked about what they'd seen on the street.

He didn't need his Board members finding another thing to bother him with after getting over the Duel...

Jonouchi turned his phone forward, showing Kaiba the screen. "Calling Mokuba. If he's really 'out on business,' then I bet he'd hate to hear how poorly his brother is taking care of himself while he's away...even to the point of losing to the 'second-rate' Duelist," he announced smugly.

If Kaiba could have gotten away with smacking Jonouchi around on the street, he would have. Every thought in his head edged him on into doing just that, but he stopped himself since logic would dictate that that course of action was a bad idea. It would only turn around to bite him in the ass, and while Kaiba's mouth tensed up into a thin, firm line and his eyes narrowed to the point of almost hurting, he reasoned that dealing with Jonouchi's shit was better than Mokuba's disappointment.

"Fine," Kaiba nearly spat as he glared down at Jonouchi, who had a distinctive smirk on his face, "I'll eat with you, but that's it. And I insist on buying my own lunch. You couldn't afford paying for me, anyways."

"Pfft, you act as if I haven't just won prize money from a tournament. I may not be rolling in it like you, but I'm not exactly broke, either," Jonouchi huffed.

"Those are my terms. Take it or leave it."

"Fine," Jonouchi concurred, trying to pacify Kaiba and hoping that the man wouldn't be such a bear after he'd gotten some nourishment in him. Jonouchi eyed his companion up and down—from the looks of it, Kaiba likely hadn't eaten anything good in days. His skin seemed dull, and his normally form-fitting clothes hung off his frame, as though he'd lost some weight. Huh. Probably just being his workaholic self again…

He stared at the shop fronts around them as they ventured further downtown. "So, what do you want to eat?"

"Whatever, I don't really care. As long as it's not junk food."

"I'll eat just about anything," Jonouchi remarked, "So since you seem to be the picky one, you decide."

"You're the one forcing me to eat with you," snapped Kaiba before shaking his head in irritation, "You decide. Or I'm bailing, blackmail or not."

Jonouchi snorted in response, but a grin betrayed his amusement. "Alright, then no complaining. How about curry—you look like you could use a heavy meal," he said, reaching out to pinch and tug at the back of Kaiba's shirt in demonstration.

Quick to react, Kaiba smacked Jonouchi's offending hand away before making a face of slight offense, "What the hell is that supposed to mean? I haven't been feeling well, but I'm not that terrible looking- Just shut up already and go find this stupid restaurant..."

The possibility that Kaiba might look anything but perfect at any second of his public day was unsettling in his brain, the idea taking form before he broke out in a slight panic. His thoughts didn't betray his cool exterior, but in his head, he could feel a mix of emotions rushing through him as his muscles tightened from tension.

Who was Jonouchi to judge him, anyways? He didn't even look fit for outdoors half the time, thanks to his second-hand clothes and lack of a hair cut...

"Relax, princess," Jonouchi chuckled, "not a hair's out of place. You look like you've lost some weight, though. Been skipping meals?"

"My diet is none of your concern. Are we going to eat or just stand here in the heat discussing my physique all day?"

Jonouchi started walking ahead, not bothering to check if Kaiba was following. "As fascinating as that sounds, the restaurant's just around the corner," he drawled.

Ducking underneath the noren, Jonouchi hollered greetings towards the kitchen, offering a slight bow to the older woman by the register. He chose a side table midway from the entrance, dropping into his seat lazily and eyeing Kaiba expectantly.

It was a mom and pop shop, and although the front door was wide open and electric fans blasted in the corners, Kaiba was mildly relieved that Jonouchi hadn't dragged him to some crappy chain restaurant. He entered slowly, nodding slightly to the woman while tugging absently at his tie. He slipped silently into the seat across from Jonouchi, electing to stare at the several portraits and photos adorning the walls rather than address his companion.

He felt distinctly out of place. Kaiba didn't really like dining out, when he could help it. When he did eat, it was usually in small places during strange hours of the day so he wouldn't be spotted and could eat alone in peace, or else he waited until he was at home. Kaiba Mansion had lots of house staff, including one executive chef, and Kaiba preferred relying on one person who knew his particular tastes to prepare his food.

But he wasn't really given the option now, since Jonouchi wanted to rat him out to Mokuba, who would surely use Kaiba's poor health to his advantage. Not out of animosity, but to wear Kaiba out into getting his way, more than likely.

Or guilt-trip him for not taking better care of himself...

Whichever it was, Kaiba didn't want to deal with it. He'd eventually need to really sleep, and looking quickly over a handmade menu, he made his selection to have a bowl of pork belly curry and rice, not caring if the food wasn't quite up to his station in class.

He hadn't eaten anything like that since he was a child. His mother used to make him chicken katsu whenever he begged for it, and now it just seemed so alien to eat something so simple and rather rustic.

No wonder Jonouchi chose it.

The food arrived quickly, along with water, hot tea, and a small dish of pickled vegetables. Jonouchi dug into his beef curry omelet enthusiastically, not waiting for Kaiba to start. Staring at the food apathetically, Kaiba just picked at his with chopsticks before finally trying a bite.

It was good, but he just didn't feel the urgency to eat.

Jonouchi had cleared through half of his meal before he realized that Kaiba had barely touched his food. Setting his spoon down, he leaned back in his chair and drew shapes on the condensation collecting on his water glass.

"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?"

"It's fine."

"So then what's eating you?" Jonouchi asked, stuffing a spoonful of curry into his mouth thoughtfully.

"Nothing. I'd have an easier time eating this if you'd stop studying me," said Kaiba as he waved his hand dramatically, "I don't usually eat this much food in one meal, anyways. I'm going to get sick from this."

"You're going to get sick from not eating," Jonouchi emphasized, waving his spoon around. "I bet the breeze from one of these fans could knock you over if you got too close."

Kaiba glared at that. He might have dropped a few pounds, including muscle weight, from not being as active as before, but he wasn't skin and bones. He could still function, even if he didn't feel as well as he had in the past.

"First of all, that's not true," argued Kaiba as he tried another bite of food, "and second of all, I don't see why you'd even care if that was. You don't like me. Don't pretend to, when we both know you don't."

Scowling, Jonouchi picked up his chopsticks and stabbed at a pickle. "If memory serves me right, I tried to befriend you in the very beginning, but you decided you were too holier than thou for friendship with us peasants."

"So what? Then you should know better than to keep trying."

Waving a finger back and forth, Jonouchi announced, "One good deed a day. I suppose you've been my project of sorts," he grinned.

Kaiba scowled in response. He had no idea what to say to that, so he just shut his mouth with food, looking anywhere but at Jonouchi's irritating smug smile. No matter what, he always seemed to look like he was so satisfied with himself, and it made Kaiba's insides boil as his patience wore away with each passing moment.

Even if he wasn't looking at Jonouchi anymore, he was still well-aware of his presence. There was a particular way he always seemed to be tapping his foot on the ground, like he couldn't keep still for a minute, and his breath seemed to catch whenever a new thought formed in his head. Kaiba was attuned to everything around him, down to scents, and Jonouchi had a particular smell just like everyone else, only stronger now thanks to the heat.

In large crowds, it was easy ignoring one person for another and allowing it all to just dull into a single mass, but being stuck with Jonouchi alone was disquieting and more of an annoyance than if Kaiba had been stuck with a group of strangers.

Jonouchi observed Kaiba actively try to ignore him before breaking into full-out laughter. "Man, you're so serious! Lighten up a little! Hell, liven up! You always act like there's a funeral going on," he sighed, trying to quell the giggles that kept bubbling up as Kaiba's face grew darker.

"Shut it."

"Well, someone's gotta carry the conversation, since you're getting all shy on me," Jonouchi remarked, scraping the last bits of his meal off his plate. "I wouldn't have to talk so much if you'd participate. I may not look it, but I'm a great listener."

"What if I have nothing to say to you? Did you ever think of that? I don't feel like talking."

To make his sentiments clear, Kaiba quickly shoved more food into his mouth before chewing aggressively.

"Don't choke," Jonouchi muttered as he fidgeted with the rim of his teacup. He brought it to his lips and blew, staring at Kaiba over its edge. "You're gonna snap one day. I'm gonna read about some rampage at Kaiba Corp, and then you'll be crying, 'Oh, why didn't I listen to Jonouchi?'" he mocked.

Kaiba just glanced blankly at Jonouchi in response. They both knew he'd already snapped once—and that had been enough—in his life. Unfortunately for Jonouchi, he'd gotten caught up in that little adventure, and preferring not to recall it, Kaiba just ate silently before sipping on his tea angrily.

All he could think about was paying the check and finally taking off. Maybe try to get some sleep, if he was lucky. The mansion had central air, and it would be easier to sleep while cool and heavy from food, and Kaiba wasn't above taking a few sleep aids.

It was the only comforting thought he had as Jonouchi continued yammering on.

Jonouchi stopped abruptly, closing his eyes and exhaling sharply through his nose. "I guess I shouldn't have bothered. You haven't changed at all."

"I could have told you that a long time ago. What exactly were you expecting? That we'd be pals after what happened during our last Duel?" Kaiba laughed darkly before rising up from his seat, dropping yen on the table before giving Jonouchi one last disapproving look, briefcase in hand.

"We're not friends. Try to remember that next time you decide to harass me in public."

And then he strolled out of there, leaving a disgruntled Jonouchi behind.