Voids

*Disclaimer - I don't own Yugioh, don't own the charcters and I only wish I made money off it.

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Seto sat at his desk, tapping away on his computer, only it wasn't the same as always. He wasn't tapping as in typing, he was just tapping. His chin rested in one hand, staring into space. Tap, tap, tap...

"Nii-sama? Are you okay?" The tapping was driving Mokuba crazy. The sound of his little brother's voice brought him back to earth. He looked at Mokuba, narrowed his eyes and became cold.

"I'm fine. Go back to what you were doing. I'm busy." He snapped.

"But, nii..."

"Go!" He kept his cold gaze on Mokuba as he backed out of the office. "Shut and lock the door." He demanded. Once the door was shut and securly locked, he burried his face in his arms, feeling himself ready to cry.

"What's wrong with me?!" He couldn't hold back anymore, and began to sob. "I have everything! I have Mokuba! I have..." He shot up in his chair, the sobbing stopped as quickly as it started, "I couldn't be lonely! I have Mokuba, but..." He didn't want to admit it, especially to himself, but he was lonely. There was something missing, a void brotherly love couldn't seem to fill. He stood and began pacing his office, a vision going through his mind over and over with every step.

"So beautiful..." He shook it off. "Ridiculou! I couldn't be in lo..." The vision came back stronger this time. He fell to his knees, trying to deny it, but it was impossible; On the docks, cheering on their friends, despite one being a common mongral so easily taken by a jerk with a magic wand. "No! Stop! I don't have time for this!" He ran for his desk, rummaging through every drawer. "Where is it?! Where is..." He found it. His crutch. His "cure-all". He fought with the top and quickly sucked down every last drop of the bottle of scotch. He felt the warmth swim through his chest, them slowly make it's way up to his head. He could feel himself begin to sway, "That's it. Make it go away." Catching the edge of his desk, he guided himself back into his chair, burried his face back into his arms, and allowed for the scotch to do it's job.


"Kaiba-sama! Kaiba-sama! Are you there?"

"Huh? What...?" The voice woke him with a start. Despite his head spinning, he darted his blood-shot eyes around the room for the source of his rude awakening. Finally he rested his eyes on the speaker phone, and reluctantly pressed the button. "What the hell do you want?"

"Forgive me, Kaiba-sama, but the company in England..."

"That's not till seven-thi..." As he said this, he caught the small clock on his computer desktop. Nine-fifteen. Damn it! How long was I out?!, "Why didn't you call me earlier?! This is intol..."

"We tried! Your office is locked and we can't find Mokuba! We tried everything..." The man on the other end began to sound like he feared more for his life than his job.

"I'm sure Mokuba is fine. No matter about that English company. They were small anyway."

"But, Kai...!"

"Leave me be! I have other matters on my mind at the moment!" He shouted as he brought his fist down on the phone, smashing it to peices. "Hmph. I forget my own strength sometimes." But there was still one thing he couldn't forget.

Shit! I'm going to have to face them in school! What do I do?! The thought curdled his blood. Come on, Seto! Pull yourself together! He stared at his reflection in the computer screen, then startled himself by slapping his face. "That's it! I know what to do!" It wasn't going to be easy, it would mean being nice to what he concidered the lowest form of human being. He smiled at the thought, "Ha! Human being! I'm being nice to him already!" His stomach began to turn. He couldn't tell if it was the scotch coming back on him or... "Ugh! This really isn't going to be easy!"


The butterflies in his stomach began to multiply the closer the limo got to the school. He was in a daze, trying to keep everything down, he hadn't noticed the limo had stopped and his door open.

"Kaiba-sama. You're going to be late."

"What fool teacher in their right mind would try anything with me?! I'm only here because the law says I have to be..."

"...." The driver coulnd't help rolling his eyes behind his sunglasses. It amazed him, the boy wasn't even a blood relation, yet his old boss' blood seemed to flow freely through him.

As Seto stepped out, he scanned the school yard for the group of friends, Saying 'Hi' to Yugi would be no surprise. Aknowledging that cur would surly be suspicious. No matter, it should be worth it. I'll make sure of it. He took a deep breath and casually walked by the group, nodding toward Yugi.

"Morning, kun." Yugi responed.

"Yugi... Jounouchi-kun." His stomach bagan to turn again, but somehow he had to get Jounouchi's attention. He continued to walk by as if he had always been nice to him.

"Jou... nou... what?!" Jounouchi couldn't believe his ears, "Kun?! Did I hear him right?!"

"You heard him right, Jounouchi." Anzu said bitterly.

"He must want something." Honda offered.

"Maybe he's finally recognizing you as a duelist, Jounouchi-kun!" Yugi said excitedly, "You did so well in Battle City and..."

"I did, didn't I?!"

*Collective sweatdrop*

"But, if Honda is right, what could he possibly want from me?! Ah! No way!!" The look on his face was sheer horror, concerning his friends.

"What is it, Jounouchi-kun?!"

"Shizuka! No! If he thinks..."

"Well, he was kind of extra nice to her..." Yugi said.

"Everyone was kind of extra nice to her." Anzu seemed a little jealous. The others blushed.

"Shit!! I won't allow this! I'm ganna..."

"Take it easy, Jounouchi!" Honda grabbed his friend before he could make a run for Kaiba, "The way he treats you, she'd never go for him. She has a lot better sense than that!", I still can't believe they share parents!, "Just trust her!"

I don't care! He's ganna hear from me after school! I'll erase any thought of my sister from that pretty little head of his!

They split up, saying their good byes, little knowing the subject of their conversation had stuck around to hear every word.

Moron! Recognizing him as a duelist! Ha! Kaiba started toward his own class, a satisfied smile across his face, The look in his eyes. He'll be looking for me. Perfect.


"Shit! Kaiba, Kaiba, Kaiba..." Jounouchi snarled as he stomped out of the school.

"Looking for me, Jounouchi-kun?" Kaiba asked cooly, leaning against the school.

"Yea! What the hell is up with you being nice to me?! It's... it's..."

"Suspicious?"

"Creepy!"

"Whatever. Come with me." He took Jounouchi by the arm, sending chills through both their spines, leading his rival to his limo. To shock Jounouchi more, Seto opened the door for him. "Well? Are you affraid?"

"What?! No!" He protested, and got in.

"You seem a little surprised I'm being nice to you."

"Anyone would be surprised you're being nice to them. What the hell do you want anyway?" He was sitting straight up, arms and legs crossed staring straight ahead. He seemed so serious, a pose Kaiba assumed the mutt reserved for duels.

"I see. You know, Jounouchi-kun, it's all a cover."

"A cover?"

"I need you to convince someone of that for me. Someone I know will listen to you.", Hard to believe there is anyone like that!, "You see, I am capable of feelings..."

"I knew it! You can let me out right here! I'm not even ganna dignify this by even mentioning your name to Shizuka!"

"Shizuka? Your sister? Hmph..." Kaiba's eyes narrowed, and his lips curled. This should be fun, going after what he couldn't have should be child's play to him, but this,What was I thinking?! Baka!

"Not Shizuka? Then who..." A sudden cold chill shot through Jounouchi like a knife. He reached over and grabbed Kaiba by the collar, "You even think of touching Mai I'll..."

"Mai?! You really are a dolt aren't you? Mai is yours!"

"Who then, Kaiba?!" He drew Kaiba closer, their eye lashes practically crossing eachother. Kaiba couldn't take it anymore, grabbed the other boy by the wrist and flung him to the other side of the limo.

"What the hell?!"

"Shut up! Listen to someone other than yourself for once, Lassie..."

"I knew you couldn't stay nice to me for long..."

"You make it very difficult..." His voice trailed off and his eyes dulled. Jounouchi stared in disbelief.

Kaiba lonely for love? This is so surreal!

"So, will you speak to..."

"Uh, sure, but since we're being so honest with eachother I better let you know now, I'm not exactly the lady's man I let on..."

"Do tell..." Kaiba rolled his eyes, Is he for real?! Ah, I should ask that of him, I can't imagine what he is thinking of me...

"... I don't know that many girls who would listen to me except maybe Mai, Anzu... Anzu?! Kaiba, Anzu is..."

"The "Other Yugi's", I'm aware of this."

"Sorry, Kaiba. Guess you better let me out here. There's nothing I can do..." He leaned against the window trying to think, then looked back over to Kaiba. What's that look? Discouraged? Angry? Sad?! he tried to think harder, Someone who would listen to me. Someone else; Not Anzu, Shizuka, definatly not Mai... OH!, "Honda." he said softly. Kaiba felt his heart jump and shot a surprising gaze at his rival, waiting for the protest, the inssults, humiliation, instead, Jounouchi smiled warmly.

"What's that smile for, Jounouchi?"

"I think it's cool. I'll help you."

"Wait a minute! You wouldn't agree to do this to humiliate me, would you?! I know how you are, and I know he had a thing for your sister..."

"I'll let you in on a little secret; he gave up on Shizuka long ago when he thought she was interested in you yet ended up with Otogi! He swore..."

"That doesn't mean anything..." Kaiba groweled.

"Shut up! Listen to someone other than yourself for once and let me finish!" he mocked.

"What did you say to me...?!"

"Look, Honda swore off girls, for good! Take your chance now!"

"I..."

"I'll help you." his voice was soft again. He extended his hand, just about to take Kaiba's to shake on it, then quickly drew it back.

"Why...?!"

"There's one thing I ask..."

"I was prepared for this. What do you want?"

"Stop calling me a dog." He simply said. Kaiba waited for more, then noticed Jounouchi had extended his hand again.

"What?! Is that all?! All the insults I throw at your dueling skills..."

"Just make me fight harder." he took Kaiba's hand, his grip was unbareable, IIIIIIIEEEEE! Can't accuse him of being a flimsy queer!

"Jounouchi, why aren't you insulting me? A man in love with..."

"Love is love, Kaiba. Especially when one is lonely."

"What do you know of being lonely?!" He asked sharply.

"What?! You and I are more alike than you think..." He looked into Kaiba's eyes, he could tell this statement did not set well with him, "... or would care to admit anyway. When my mom took Shizuka, I just... I..."

"What about your fa..." Kaiba bit his lip quickly when he noticed Jounouchi balling his fist so tightly, his nails dug into his palm. "You're bleeding."

"Huh? Oh..."

"That's where we're alike. I understand. My foster father was a monster..."

"My dad's a drunk."

"Not exactly good times to be bonding over, huh?"

"Guess not, Kaiba..."

"Seto."

"Seto. Katsuya, nice to meet you." He took Kaiba's hand again, truely feeling like he was meeting him for the first time. He's really not so bad! He does have one hell of a cover! I would have never guessed! I just hope I'm right about Honda!

"Where should I drop you off?" Kaiba asked.

"Anywhere is fine...", I need to talk to Shizuka! She'd know what to do! They came across the train station, one about to leave for Shizuka's part of town. "Here! Perfect! Thanks, Kai... Seto! Ja ne! No worries!" He started to get out of the limo, when Kaiba stopped him, gripping his wrist tightly.

"I don't know what you are thinking, or what you plan to do, just know this; I don't care who knows."

"Really?!", But, Honda might! Gotta to talk to Shizuka!, "No problem, Seto!" Jounouchi tried to break the grip, but just as soon as Kaiba let go, he grabbed his hand before he could get away.

"You plan on seeing Shizuka, am I right? That train is leaving soon. Better hurry." He let go, then shut the door and sped off with out another word. Jounouchi just watched the limo speed off, then noticed Kaiba had closed his hand into a fist. There was money, enough for the train, and a bandage for his still bleeding hand.

"I don't need charity, Kaiba!" he yelled, then began searching his pockets for his own money, "Uh, I'll accept it, just this once!" He announce as he ran for the train.