So it's late, but still Sunday!

I'm on time! Just barely, but still!

le Disclaimer: I own many things that are not Yu-Gi-Oh. Or an iPad…

This chapter is dedicated to family, which I am visiting and to Christmas, which I am not saving, because that is clichéd and stupid and it doesn't need saving dangit! Maybe it would've been fun to do I dunno.

Anyway, here's the end of my rant and the beginning of the next chapter.

Enjoy

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Chap 4

Well, isn't today just full of wonders?

"I'll start with the secret world that is the Sects. You need not know their history just that they're the monsters every human child hears in the night…"

XxXxXxX

He walked through school in a daze for most of the day, coming alive occasionally to laugh and joke around with his friends for the few times they could find to joke around with Duke and Tèa's disappearance weighing on their minds.

His father's words would not leave his mind. They circled like vultures around the carcass of his sanity. For some reason he just couldn't absorb these facts. He gave up on conscious movement toward the end of the day.

After their sixth attempt at calling him his friends were at a loss.

"Hey mutt." A slender hand drifted in front of his face and with the sudden snap of its fingers the world came back to him.

"Oh, so somebody is home, the nerd herd was getting tired of knocking."

Joey took a few seconds to take in Seto's superior look and Yugi, Tristan and Ryou's concerned ones set to the background of the front gate to Domino High School. Tristan's expression gradually turned reluctantly grateful.

"Thanks, I guess, Kaiba."

Seto ignored this. Tristan, predictably, fumed.

"Shall we go then, mutt?"

Joey frowned in confusion.

"Where are we going?"

Seto almost rolled his eyes.

"Not only the mannerisms of an untrained pup but the memory span of a goldfish, I see."

"Hey-!"

"The matter we discussed yesterday Wheeler."

"Wha- oh. Yeah, sorry."

"So?"

"I'll be there in a sec."

Seto turned and walked to the car awaiting them.

"Where are you going Joey?"Yugi asked as Tristan muttered profanities at Kaiba's retreating back.

"Oh, uh… Kaiba's."

"Why are you going there?" Tristan was, a little breathless from the insults but, still energetic enough to enquire.

"Well, ya see-."

"Here boy, come on." Seto called from next to the open car door. Joey growled in a way that almost seemed… dog-like.

I'm comin' Kaiba, hold yer horses!"

Joey looked back to his friends as he began walking backwards toward Kaiba.

"Gotta go guys. I'll see ya tomorrow."

"Bye Joey…" Ryou was the only one able to speak as the boys stared in shocked silence at Joey running toward Seto.

"Good boy." Seto ruffled Joey's hair and Joey attempted to bite him. Seto tapped him on the nose and said: "Naughty."

The three boys were suddenly desperately trying to hold back laughter as Seto calmly stepped into the car. They gave up on their endeavour as soon as Joey regained his senses and lunged into the car after the offender.

xxxxx

"…'m not a dog." Joey's arms were crossed over a broad chest and he stared sullenly through his shaggy blonde locks out the window. Seto chuckled.

"What's so funny Kaiba?" Joey barked.

"You look like a sulking puppy." He was shaking with trying to hold back laughter now. Joey growled and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Seto started laughing uncontrollably as Joey stared at him, shocked. He smiled, for once Kaiba wasn't laughing an evil laugh and it sounded… nice. A voice travelled from the front of the car.

"Um, sir? Mr Kaiba are you… laughing?"

Seto immediately froze. He cleared his throat.

"No Lazarus, you're mistaken."

He wanted to hit this Lazarus guy for interrupting a wonder.

"Er, okay. We're here."

The car stopped and Joey wrenched his eyes away from Seto to marvel at the magnificent piece of architecture that was where Seto Kaiba lived.

The car had driven up a winding pathway through a beauteous garden to the grand front doors. His car door was opened by a caramel skinned boy wearing a black uniform and glasses. He looked around Joey's age. He hadn't noticed Kaiba exiting the vehicle.

"Hey. Who are you?" he asked this new appearance.

"Me? I'm Laz."

Laz? Oh, the driver. This is him? He's a little… young.

"Nice ta meetcha Laz. Name's Joey."

"Nice ta meet you too." Lazarus smiled.

Seto suddenly ghosted behind the boy.

"Lazarus, I would advise you to cease pestering my guest if you wish to keep your job."

"Oh! Yes sir. Won't happen again sir." Lazarus stood stiffly and waited for Seto to leave again. Joey followed.

"Boss man be trippin'."

"I heard that Lazarus."

Uh, sorry. So sorry sir. Won't happen again." Lazarus bowed to Seto's back as they traipsed up the steps to that grand entrance that was Seto Kaiba's front door. Joey laughed.

"You're a funny guy Laz. See ya."

The young chauffer lifted his head.

He's not like the other guests, that's for sure.

He paled until he seemed transparent. His black suit dropped from his shoulders leaving him in a t-shirt and baggy jeans.

Now to go visit the reason I stay with cold bastard.

He walked in the direction of the garage, pondering the strange new guest.

xxxxx

Seto strolled through the magnificent doors that seemed to open at the command of his presence. A rich red carpet extended to the top of a staircase at the back of the room and where it split, right and left, to the upper story. A row, on either side of it, of servants and maids greeted him and Joey as they walked to that large staircase at the back of the room. If you could call it a staircase, and if you could call it a room. Both were too grand and huge and… made of marble and expensive wood to be called such inferior words.

They ascended the staircase and turned to the set of stairs that extended to the right. Joey couldn't help but stare at the magnificent painting of a blue eyes white dragon on the wall. When he looked closer he noticed it was a mosaic designed to look like a painting. He stared in awe at it before he was tapped lightly on the shoulder.

"My wing is this way. We can talk in one if my rooms, we won't be disturbed."

.

.

.

.

Well that was it.

Hope you're quivering in anticipation. Then again, probably not.

I'm feeling distinctly alone in this room by the by my friends. Just sayin'.

I trust you all enjoyed the end of the world and hope you have a very merry Christmas.

I'm gonna put the date of the my updates on these. Just in case I make a random joke that concerns the date and someone reads this a year later… it could happen!

Huh… it occurred to me that I probably should have warned about mild language… aw, well. No one's scarred right? I hear a lot worse around.

Buh bye now :P :D

23/12/2012