A/N: This was sitting on my computer 95% complete and I couldn't get the last...three or four paragraphs. X3. Craziness, I just got swept up in finals week. So here it is, all complete. Hope you enjoy

Chapter 19.

Maybe it was the twilight that was disillusioning. For hours, Jou sat melancholic in the increasingly uncomfortable seat. He slumped down further, leaning his head back and raking his fingers through his hair. They spoke to the lawyer before the doctor came in. It was the overwhelming optimism that made it the worst perhaps. Loopholes may allow Jou to be granted temporary custody of Mokuba.

But the doctor came in and shattered it all.

Flatly, he told them how Kaiba's condition, and the circumstances of how he would be under an in-patient treatment, meant that he was incapable of caring for another.

"But-what about me?" Jou asked. "I mean, I ain't married or nothin' but-"

"You are not a relative of the Kaiba family."

"Why does that matter?" Jou asked.

"Because the younger Kaiba's care is-"

"He's fifteen!" Jou exclaimed. "When I was fifteen-!"

"According to the state, he is unfit."

Mokuba sat idle, fists clenching. "Then-then-I'll emacipate, like nii-sama."

"Mokuba-no," Kaiba interjected. There was a scratch in his throat, and Jou didn't doubt thtat the simple twitch in his face was like an inward waterfall.

"Nii-sama! You did it! So can I."

Kaiba's eyes tightened shut. "Mokuba..."

Jou sighed, and he brought his fingers to knit together. In the moment, with the anger builiding up and the pain squeezing his heart, he put his arm over Mokuba's shoulders and pulled him close. Mokuba squirmed.

"I'll give you space," and the doctor left, giving a momentary glance to Kaiba who had become still as stone.

Jou had been sitting in contemplation ever since then. Somewhere along the way, Mokuba had slipped away for whatever reason, though Jou was positive he was getting tired.

From the bed, Kaiba stirred enough to turn his head and flinch a bit, his arms over his chest where they had released him from restraints. It was pitiful, actually, to see that Kaiba was so docile that they left him unrestrained. Perhaps Jou was negative, but it made it seem like he was regressing back to how he was before. Hardly speaking, hardly moving, hardly anything more than a living sculpture, fully opposible.

Jou jumped from his seat and went over to the bed, sitting on the edge of it. He grabbed Kaiba's hand, petting it. The brunet's eyes opened, a small glitter in the cobalt. His fingers twitched and pulled away fome. He cleared his throat and tried to gather himself.

"What?"

Jou reached over to the bureau, grabbing a pitcher and pouring water into a cup. He never let go of Kaiba's hand. After, he handed it to Kaiba, making sure it was firm in his hand. It took Kaiba a moment to realize he should drink from it. He handed it back.

"Today was crap." Jou said.

Kaiba's scoffed. "Simple words."

Jou shrugged. " No need ta complicate it, ya know?" aKiba's eyes wandered, but always seemed to go back to Jou. "I don't think Mokuba's ready fer bein' on his own. I mean, I do an' I don't."

"I don't. He needs time."

"Yeah. We can all grow up fast, but it don't do ya much good. Makes ya bitter if ya gotta go through life feelin' alone."

Kaiba nodded. Jou put the cup on the bureau and freed up both hands. He cupped them around Kaiba's.

"There are ways." Kaiba said. "Lots of them."

Jou sighed. "Yeah, an' I got one."

"Hm?"

"What I said ta Mokuba. I'll hide 'em where he can't be found. Least till this all blows over."

Kaiba didn't say 'yea' or 'nay' so Jou was unsure how to feel about it precisely. He chewed his lip, and after so much silence he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"'Ey Mai, its Jou. Yeah, yeah. I could use a hand."

Kaiba's brows had risen when hearing Jou speak to Kujaku. Something in his didn't like the idea, but didn't protest just yet.

"What are we thinking, Jou?"

"Need ta get Mokuba out of Domino; get him away from social services an' stuff."

"Jou...you think that's a good idea?"

"No, but its better than lettin' take 'im."

Mai quieted, but eventually consented. Jou gave a thumbs up to Kaiba. Kaiba's lips flinched, and he grabbed Jou's wrist and tugged on it hard.

"Let me speak."

Jou too the phone from his ear and turned on the speakerphone. "Kaiba's talkin' to ya Mai. Yer on speaker."

"What's up, big shot?" She asked immediately.

"Keep Mokuba safe. I expect results."

"I wouldn't do this to fail, Kaiba." Mai retorted.

Kaiba chuckled to himself. "I should hope."

"Do you want me to make you a promise?" Mai asked.

"No more words. Results speak louder."

Mai huffed, and Jou was sure that she shouldered the phone and either crossed her arms of started filing her nails.

"You better promise me something then, Kaiba."

"Mai-"

"Shut up, Jou."

"What, Kujaku?"

"Do what you know if right and fix this. You'be brought a lot on yourself, so no amount of doctors, lawyers, or therapists is going to fix that."

Resignation crossed Kaiba's face. His hands clenched on the blanket. He seemed riled, and pallor drew to his face as he recalled Yami's words yet again:

Admit what you are...

"Mai-you got a big mouth."

"You asked for my help, Jou-"he switched the speakerphone off and put it to his ear, "-got it. So how are we doing this?"

They drove by night, under a cloudy sky. Jou sped along the roads, going out of Domino and into the stretches of roads that led towards Tokyo. It seemed like a far drive, but it was enough.

Looking behind him, he seen a pair of bright headlights, just a glimpse of the red of Mai's sports car. But even before that, Mokuba sat in the back seat. His eyes glowed, staring out the front of the windshield and trying to figure out where Jou was taking him. Begrudgly, he had agreed to the tepid plan, if only because Kaiba had agreed to it. Still, he wasn't told where he was going.

Pooled at his feet were his schoolbooks, as well as files from work that he might need. He also has his laptop to work from. Despite being away, he tried to stay close and be sure the company ran despite his brother's condition.

Jou pulled up into a gas station, parking and getting out. Mai pulled up just behind, parking beside him.

In the distance, a figure was walking through a bright stream of headlights. There was another shadow in the car. They waved before coming out of the light, tucking their hands in their pockets.

"Long-time, no-see Jou." They said.

"Hey, Ryuji."

Mokuba had finally gotten out of the car, stepping between where Mai stood back observing and where Jou was right up next to Ryuji. There was something in Jou that looked slightly annoyed, as he was looking fervently beyong Ryuji and to the car.

"Shizuka in the car with you?"

"Yeah. She's kind tired right now."

Jou nodded. He motioned for Mokuba to come forward. All of his things were slung over his shoulder in his backpack. "Here's Mokuba," he said, putting his hand on Mokuba's back. Mokuba drifted closer to him, almost hugging him. His eyes were to the ground for a second, but he stopped and looked up to Ryuji with a brief smile. "This will only be temp, 'kay Moki?"

"I know. I just wanna see my nii-sama."

"We'll get ya back. I'll work on gettin' Kaib' to his norm real soon."

Mokuba turned back and hugged Jou tight. Jou rubbed the back of his head. "Mai's gonna come an' check up on ya periodically. I'll come if I can, but it could be suspicious. I'll call, a'right?"

Mokuba nodded into Jou's chest before pulling away and wiping his hand under his eyes. "You'll be strong in this, Moki. This'll be okay."

Ryuji put a hand on Mokuba's shoulder and led him away. Mai got right up behind Jou, arms crossed. "Follow 'em, would ya?"

"Yeah. I'll keep tabs on them," she said. "You want to see Shizuka? She probably misses you."

The door of the car opened up from Ryuji's car, and Shizuka got out of the car. She looked over and waved at Jou, running up to him and hugging him tightly until her feet were off the ground. "Katsuya!"

Jou hugged her back. "Hey, Shizuka."

They shared the embrace for a short while as Ryuji got Mokuba settled in the car. Jou put Shizuka at a distance and was thoroughly examining her. "He ain't hurt you, has he?" he asked, looking over her, especially at her neck and face. Shizuka batted him away.

"He's real sweet to me, Katsuya. Everything's okay."

Jou still grumbled. "Yeah well, he's Ryuji."

Shizuka giggled. "You trust him enough," she patted his breast. "We'll take good care of Mokuba. If things get bad, call us okay? If things get good, call us. Just call us, for whatever."

"I will Shizuka."

Mai had gotten into her car and was ready to follow where Ryuji was in the driver's seat, waiting. "I have to go," she said. "We need to get out of here before it looks weird. We gotta keep this covert, right?"

Jou nodded. "Yep," he said. "I'm going, I'm going."

The days passed, and Jou went about his routines. It seemed so empty anymore. He was drifting between his apartment, his job, and the hospital where Kaiba was moved to. They were starting to get Kaiba walking on his ankle, now better healed than before, but he was still partially immobile in his own rigid body.

But Jou watched nonetheless. He helped how he could. And after a week, it seemed normal. He'd made a few phone calls, but it sounded like everything was adjusting well enough. Mokuba wasn't completely happy, but hearing Kaiba's voice made him pick up every so often.

Jou went home at eight o' clock every night. He had a plan to call both Mai and Shizuka when he got in the apartment. But just outside, he saw two police cars. The area wasn't too good, but it wasn't bad either. He started up the stairs, pausing at the landing of the second floor. His apartment door was hanging open, and he could hear voices inside. He started back down slowly, falling at the last step and landing on his butt.

There was a stir from inside, the officers talking to one another. Jou forced himself up and kept going, trying not to look suspicious but hustling down the first flight of stairs and out to the parking lot. Were they looking for him? Were they just looking in his place? What was it that they wanted precisely? Surely they had a warrant for whatever reason, but still, it seemed so strange to come home and feel like he was stuck in the middle of movie horror.

Once Jou was in his car, he noticed that one of the officers was coming downstairs. He didn;t wait to see what the officer would do. He wondered where he could go, what place would be safe for him to stay and to lie low. If they wanted him, home wasn't going to be the place.

At a turning place, he considered going to Kaiba's manor. That would be a safe place; not only that, it at least had a change of clothes there. But then, he figured they were already looking there. There was only one reason that police would be looking for him or searching his house: for Mokuba. The manor was out of the question.

So Jou turned the opposite direction and went towards the Kame Game Shop, thinking it was the safest place he could currently go. Inwardly, he had the worry that he wouldn't be able to see Kaiba for the night. Would they go an interrogate Kaiba? Surely the police knew, as the rest of the country knew, that Kaiba was ill and antagonizing him would only make things worse and worse.

He pulled up to the Game Shop and got out, slamming his door. Inside, he was quiet when he seen Yugi was checking out a customer, though the shop itself was relatively quiet. Jou slipped behind the counter and sat himself on the stairs, legs shaking in anxiety, waiting for the customer to leave before he could get up and speak to Yugi.

For the moments that he waited, Jou zoned out and looked towards the television, playing at a low volume, before he was finally hit on the shoulder by Yugi. "What's up Jou?" he asked, noticing Jou's discontent. The blond sighed.

"Not much Yug'. Lookin' for a place ta lay low."

Yugi's brows raised. "What's wrong?"

Jou shrugged. "I jus' got in over my head. It's jus' fer the night, then I'll go back to my place."

Yami was lingering on the stairs, eyes glowing. He looked to the television as Jou had, before looking back and descending into the conversation.

"Something evil is knocking at your door?" Yami asked. Jou flinched, looking back. He couldn't think up a proper answer. "No worries. This home is always open to you."

"Yeah. We can set up a bed for the night," Yugi added.

"Thanks."

Jou followed Yami back into the living room and away from the storefront. He never turned his eyes towards Jou, and it was as if something was prickling in Jou's fingertips, like it was something that he could feel. "Is there anything seriously wrong, Jou? I've been hearing some disturbing things about Kaiba."

Once again, Yami made Jou flinch. "Whaddya mean?"

"Well," he stopped at the couch, turning on the television to the news. "Just...things, Jou. I wonder if perhaps things were set in motion without proper thought of their consequences. I am aware that Kaiba is going through a hard time, at this moment. You've been by his side through it all."

Jou swallowed. "Yeah, guilty on that," he sat down on the couch. "But I can't help it. Seems like I'm the only one doin' him any good, ya know? What else is there?"

"I'm not so certain," Yami said. "At least to helping."

"Thanks, really helps me there. I jus' wanna do all I can ta make sure this ends up as it started. With life like it should be fer everyone."

"Then maybe Kaiba should work on his fears alone."

There was silence, and Jou was playing with the hem of his scrubs. "Fears..." he repeated.

"C'mon, let's get you settled in Jou. I'm sure you've had a long day."

Jou smiled for what felt like the first time in days.

"KaibaCorp. stocks have continued to fall for the fourth straight day this week. Worried investors have began to sell their shares of the company, fearing the worst.

"All of this is in lieu of serious problems surrounding KaibaCorp. CEO and president, Kaiba Seto. Kaiba-san, who has been recently displaced due to health issues, was checked into a mental health facility a week ago. Amidst this news, the Vice-President of the company, and Kaiba-san's younger brother, Mokuba, has also gone missing. An ongoing investigation has produced information on who may have taken the younger Kaiba. The Domino City Police are not yet releasing the identity of their suspect.

"Investors believe that these events leave KaibaCorp. without proper management, and the rumors that the company may fail have started to arise."

Shizuka was thankful that Mokuba was still in his makeshift bedroom. Although he had cooped himself up in there, this was the first time that it had done any good. The only time he had come out of his room was for meals, or if he had the opportunity to speak to Kaiba or Jou when they called. Mai had shown up twice in the week period as well. Still, Shizuka was thankful.

After the newcast was over, Shizuka changed the station to a gameshow to make sure the story didn't come up again. After, she went into the kitchen and finished up lunch and put it in two bowls, setting them at the table. She went to Mokuba's door knocking. "It's lunchtime," she said. "It's ready for you, if you want."

"Okay, Kawai-san."

A short time later, Mokuba shuffled out of the room and sat down at the table, murmurring his thanks. Shizuka sat adjacent from him, not really sure what to say. So she just ate and looked across at him, smiling.

The day after, Jou buried himself in work, focusing on the patients and seeming all to interested in the paperwork that was usually the most mundane thing in the world. By lunchtime, he had almost tired himself out, if only because his body was trying so hard to pretend that he was okay. Even Naomi and Sakamoto-sensei seemed to notice something off about him, but couldn't quite bring themselves to say anything.

It was in the breakroom that he seemed to collapse. There was always a television on in the there, and it was flipped to a local news. He turned to Jell-O in his seat, trying to relax for a few moments. At first, he wasn't really paying attention. There was never anything nice on, so why bother?

The he heard the report, and his body flinched in its seat. He tensed up, his eyes widened,his heart raced, his mouth went dry. All in all, it was nothing that he didn't know, but overall he knew that he was involved in every facet of the problem at hand.

Jou buried his face in his hands, his appetite lost, and he sank there for a second. Part of him said these were the ramifications for the bigger picture, but still he was left in a place where, at the moment, it was all too much. If it helped Kaiba to get better to be away from all of the craziness, then it meant that overall things would be spared. The faster Kaiba got better, the quicker he could get back to work and everything would be managed accordingly.

He sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the air stab in his chest and his face feeling pained where he held back tears. This was all his fault. Over and over again he repeated that in his head, and despite all the reasoning otherwise, it made him feel worse and worse. To the point that he couldn't even keep the tears back and his hands were covering his face to hide all the embarrassment.

They had tried to keep Kaiba away from the television. They pretended that their efforts were nothing, and that there really was no reason. When there was arousal, and when Kaiba reared in protest, they seemed to back away, but their motives became all the more clear. Finally, he sat quiet and listened to the anchorwoman as she spoke. His body was calm, and his eyes were unmoving. Even after the report went off, he seemed still, confortable in his catatonia.

The nurses worried about him. Whenever he froze they worried he would stick that way and they would never again be able to fix him. It had been several days since Jou had shown his face, and they had seen the effects.

At first, Kaiba took a nosedive. He refused to eat, and they noted when they made rounds that he hardly slept. They attempted to give him sleeping medication, but he refused, telling them that he was fine, that he wasn't tired. But they were unconvinced, trying to mix it in with food or drink. But attempts seemed to fail. Even if they got him to eat a bite, he still laid awake.

Then, another visitor came. A tri-color haired boy, coming in with his arms crossed. He spoke slowly and verbosely, but Kaiba drank in every word even if he didn't look directly at the boy. The nurses could see that there was something of a bond between the two. Whether it was kinship or else, they knew it was working. He ate a little better, slept a little more, and worked a little harder. Then, on a third day, when the tri-color haired boy came, he was completely quiet for the time that the spent with Kaiba.

Even Kaiba seemed confused.

It was only what it seemed. Outside, he was quiet, looking confused. But he was inflecting, knowing almost too well that Yami was doing it only to impress upon him everything that he had been talking about in the days before.

The following day, Jou gathered his things and readied to leave for work. After having seen the report, he hadn't been went to see Kaiba, afraid of the blame that would be in the CEO's eyes. As he left, he considered that maybe Kaiba would have simmered down some by the following day, and that it would be okay for him to go. He drove to the hospital, heavy in his thoughts, wondering if maybe he should have just come the day before too. That was what a good boyfriend was for right? Consolation?

Maybe Jou wasn't good, but he was okay.

He pulled up to the hospital, got out of the car, and started walking up to the front door with his eyes to his shoes. There was so much going through his mind he couldn't even grasp some of the thoughts. Within the next day or two, he had to go see Mokuba instead of sending Mai. Though he needed to distance himself, Mokuba needed to have more contact than just Shizuka.

He worked out all the specifics in his head, being able to see Mokuba for most of the day and then coming back to see Kaiba before going back to bed. As he made it inside, to the front desk, he felt something pull on one shoulder, and before he could look back, another.

"Oi-!"

"Are you Jounouchi Katsuya?"

"Who the hell wants ta know?"

But he could tell, out of the corner of his eye, who he was dealing with. "Jounouchi-san, you are under arrest for the kidnap of Kaiba Mokuba," they told him. There was no need to wonder, but that was the reason his apartment was routed through. They must have gotten whatever evidence that they needed.

Before he could even get upstairs, before he could even say hello to Kaiba, he was being dragged away because of his own crazy scheme. Staring at the nurse at the main desk, he struggled, turning away from them to say: "Tell Kaiba Seto not to worry. Everything's going to be fine!"

And he was being led out, elbowing at the officers who were escorting him, he saw Yami as he was walking in. Their eyes met briefly, and then Yami broke away as if he weren't confused about the whole ordeal.

Jou had greater things to worry about, and let Yami fall from his mind.

A/N: Seems a natural conclusion, getting arrested right? Welp, what's gonna happen after that hm? Will kaiba okay for all this? Have to wait to find out. Till next time, KenSan out!