B1: Immoral Behaviour

Part 10

Jounouchi lifted his body up and out of the pool before walking over to pick up his towel. The blond dried himself off quickly, tossing the damp, cotton mass to the floor in his haste. He then ran his hands through his wet hair, trying to bring some order of decency to his sun-kissed locks, before he bent down to pick up his discarded swimming trunks. Putting them on, he headed for the door.

Seto had just made his way out of the pool and was now standing at the edge when the blond vacated the room. Jou had told him of everything that had transpired during his conversation with Yami earlier in the day, and just why it was that Yami wanted to talk to him. At first, the CEO didn’t respond when his lover finished his account. All he did was stare at him while soaking in the information. Thinking back, that must have been a serious miscalculation on his part. When he looked into his beloved’s liquid amber eyes all he could see was self-ridicule and fear. Fear of what, Seto didn’t know. Was Katsuya afraid that he would be upset with him and change his mind about their relationship? The brunet shook his head, that couldn’t be it. After all, why would he blame him for Yugi’s obsessive tendency to be a busybody? Sighing at the perplexity of the one known as Jounouchi Katsuya, the executive walked over to pick up the discarded towel, using it to dry himself off. Once done he grasped his robe, slipping it on and tying the sash, before also heading out of the room towards the foyer, where he had no doubt everyone would be. He had the slightest thought that perhaps he should get dressed rather than run around in his robe, with nothing on underneath, but then shrugged it off as inconsequential. This was his house after all. If their...guest didn’t approve, they could leave. He just hoped that the door would be sure to hit them on the way out.




* * * * *



Mokuba checked his shirt, making sure that it was loose and covering his nether regions, hiding any evidence of his most recent mishap. Entering the foyer, he headed towards the door, where their guest was impatiently knocking and ringing the bell. Mokuba rolled his eyes in annoyance. Why on earth did his brother have to give the house staff the weekend off? Especially when someone arrived obviously unannounced?

Actually, the young Kaiba knew why. It was an attempt to give Jounouchi and himself some privacy, as they sought to become familiar with, as well as discover their feelings and desires for, one another. He wasn’t worried about the staff, as their salaries were more than enough to hold their loyalty and silence. For that, Mokuba was grateful. However, when you were at the other end of the mansion, it was a damn huge inconvenience.

Now standing in front of the door, Mokuba reached up, releasing several of the deadbolts. Wrapping his fingers around the knob, he turned, jerking it open to reveal Yugi and the others on the opposite side. Check that, upon further inspection the raven-haired boy noticed that it was Yami who was the one standing with the others, not Yugi. "Yami, everyone what are you doing here?" He asked in wide-eyed surprise.

Yami smiled at the boy, politely, "Hello Mokuba..."

"Is Kaiba home yet?" Anzu cut in, her hands on her hips, tapping her foot, as she stared down at the small boy before her.

Mokuba looked from Yami to the girl, confusion evident in his gaze. "Yes. Seto got home this morning..."

"Good! We need to speak with him, now." The brunette, not waiting to be invited, pushed past the young Kaiba. She stopped in the foyer, gazing around in awe for a moment while waiting for the others. It never ceased to amaze her how magnificently enormous the mansion was. On the wall to her right, her cerulean gaze landed upon two paintings hanging side by side. They weren’t those old, drab, self-portraits that you usually find on the walls of mansions; but rather, two impressionist art paintings, labeled ‘Starry Night’ and ‘Starry Night Over the Rhone’, done by... She squinted her eyes, deciphering the signatures... ‘Vincent Van Gogh?’ Her eyes then grew wide with shock. These were definitely expensive, for they were the originals. However, she couldn’t afford to be impressed at the moment. She was here to tell Kaiba, that pervert Jounouchi was manipulating his brother.

"But, he’s extremely busy at the moment," the raven-haired boy finished meekly, as he watched the girl’s retreating back. Sighing, Mokuba glanced back to Yami a moment, questioningly. He was confused as to why Anzu seemed so irritated, and in a hurry to see his brother.

Yami only shook his head in apology, and tried to offer some sort of an explanation for the boy, as to why they were there. "I talked to Jounouchi earlier on the phone. He’s expecting us."

"Oh... All right. Why don’t you all come in?" Mokuba moved to the side, gesturing for the other boys to enter the house. Once they had all entered the foyer, Honda walked over to Anzu, quietly talking and visually examining the paintings with her; while Yami, Otogi, and Bakura came to a stop in the center of the room. "Wait here a moment and I’ll go find Jounouchi." Before the raven-haired Kaiba could turn around, however, a voice spoke up startling everybody in the room.

"There’s no need Mokuba. I’m already here."

Everyone turned towards the voice of the intruder simultaneously, various expressions adorning their faces as they discovered that it was none other than the subject of their concern. Standing in the doorway to the living area was Jounouchi. His lean, but muscular, body reclining with his elbow propped against the doorframe. The fingers of his hand fisted in his wet hair. One leg was crossed over the other at the ankle as he stood there, his amber eyes stern and his mouth a straight line as he stared pointedly at Yami, one eyebrow raised in askance. "I thought you were going to be the only one to show?"

Mokuba silently looked his lover up and down appraisingly, his bangs slightly hiding his eyes from the others’ view. He watched as droplet after droplet of water fell from those rich golden-silk tresses to glide over Jou’s face and land on his shoulders. Slowly the droplets hydroplaned over his pectorals, down the smooth expanse of his stomach, and further till they reached the waistband of his swimming trunks. Check that, his brother’s swim shorts, which seemed to make the whole view all the sexier to the young Kaiba. Mokuba licked his dry lips, taking extra care not to emit any sound. It was all he could do to contain himself from moaning, as the blond growled out his inquiry.

Yami looked to his friend sheepishly, "Yeah... Well..."

"Hey Jounouchi? Did you enjoy your swim?" Bakura couldn’t help but cut in, as he eyed the blond up, licking his lips as their eyes met.

Jounouchi looked over to answer the darker half of his friend, when he took note of the pink tongue darting out between his lips, and the twinkle of mirth in his eyes. A blush instantly invaded his cheeks, making them hot as he stuttered a reply. "Yeah... Why?" Jou was uncertain as to what the yami was up to. He knew for sure, however, that the ring bearer could be quite unpredictable at times.

"Would you mind terribly if I joined you next time?" Bakura’s voice dropped to a husky purr, drawing everyone’s shocked expressions towards him and his audacity.

Jou, however, snorted and decided to play along, wondering just where the ex-thief was heading with his line of questioning. "Sure, I don’t see why not." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "You might want to watch out for the crocodile in the pool though. He can be pretty possessive of his territory. He might just bite you if you try to molest me."

"That’s quite all right." The white haired yami snickered for a moment before continuing. "If he does, I’ll just have to stick my thumb up his ass and remove that splinter that seems to be permanently lodged up there. Maybe then he won’t be so pissy all the time." He gave the blond a thumbs-up, gesturing that he meant business.

Jounouchi gaped for a moment, wondering just how the white haired teen had discovered that he was talking about Kaiba. At least, he was pretty sure that Bakura had caught on to his jab of the CEO. Especially since he seemed to be holding some sort of secret behind those violet eyes of his. Jou couldn’t remain stunned for long however, as a snicker caught his attention. He looked over towards Mokuba, who was trying his damnedest to hold his giggles behind a closed fist, his cheeks the most adorable shade of pink. He then looked over towards Bakura, who wasn’t trying to hide anything, as he snickered right along with the raven-haired boy. Jou couldn’t help it, between his smaller lover and his white-haired friend’s laughter, the expressions of the others, and the complete randomness of the whole conversation, he soon followed, until all three of them were bursting out in laughter.

Bakura, of course, hadn’t known much at all. The only thing the ring bearer did know was what Honda had told them and what he saw happen in the park between Jou and Mokuba. He had a sudden gut instinct when he saw Jounouchi enter the room, however, that something more was going on. His assumptions were confirmed for him personally, when Jou made the crock crack about Kaiba – very fitting in his opinion – and followed his impulse.

Everyone else seemed utterly confused, except for Yami, whose expression was between concern and complete amusement. That was why he was here to begin with. He wanted to talk to Kaiba, and see what his intentions were, as far as Jounouchi was concerned. What was his role in this whole sordid affair? Yami wasn’t concerned over Mokuba, for he knew the boy was caring, and his feelings for Jounouchi greatly showed. He also knew that Mokuba carried a great deal of affection for his older brother. That made the tri-colored hair youth wonder just how this was and would affect Mokuba as well. He was just about to ask where Kaiba was, when Anzu’s angry voice penetrated the atmosphere.

"Where’s Kaiba?" She stared straight at Jounouchi.

"He’s in the pool. I thought even you would have figured that out by now." Bakura continued to laugh. "Damn woman, are you obtuse."

Anzu turned to look at Bakura for a moment, confusion evident in her cerulean gaze, before shaking her head and glowering back in Jou’s direction, awaiting his answer.

"Are you kidding man? Kaiba and Jou can’t even stand to be in the same room without arguing," Honda added, finally. He had just stood there, taking everything in quietly and observing, but the statement made by Bakura had him floored. Just what was the psycho implying?

"It doesn’t matter. What does matter, however, is that pervert has somehow managed to corrupt Mokuba," Anzu yelled, pointing her finger accusingly at Jounouchi.

"Now just wait a moment..." Mokuba began. He was shocked. How had they found out about him and Jounouchi? And just what did Anzu take him for? Did she really think that he was that innocent and vulnerable as to be persuaded by Jounouchi? Sure, he had been once before, when he was naïve of anything to do with sex. But that wasn’t the case anymore. And just who did she think she was anyways.

"You don’t know that Anzu. You can’t just go accusing someone without the facts," Honda declared in his friend’s defense. "Why don’t we just give him a minute to explain?"

"What is there to explain?" She stomped her foot, her hand fisted at her side as she stared down Honda. "You said yourself that Jou had admitted to seeing Mokuba to you."

Jou turned his attention to his long time friend, shock evident in his amber gaze. "What?" He asked weakly. "You promised..."

"We also caught them kissing at the park. Or did that seem to slip your mind, Honda?" The girl was angry. How could he stand up for Jounouchi when the deviant was obviously corrupting the poor child?

"You’ve got it all wrong!" Mokuba tried once again, to gain the attention of the others. He wanted to set things straight. To make things clear that he was the one who had initiated the relationship, that he did in fact know what he was doing, and of the consequences. But he didn’t get a chance as the two continued to bicker back and forth.

"Anzu, he’s our friend! If you’d just shut up for a moment, and let him explain. I’m sure he has a good reason as to what he is doing and involved in." Honda continued to defend the blond. "We all know that Jou can be arrogant, and rush head-first into things, but I’m pretty damn sure that isn’t the case this time." He remembered everything that his blond friend had told him last Friday after soccer practice, when Mokuba had met them at the school. And even though he still believed him to be crazy, he had thought it over, and had chosen to support his friend in the end.

"It may be true that Jou is our friend, but his behavior is inexcusable. He has obviously coerced Mokuba into bed for his own sick perversions." The brunette finally turned her attention back to Jounouchi, her one hand on her hip, while her other made wild gestures in the air. "I want to talk to Kaiba now! He has a right to know what that animal is doing to his brother. And that dog!" Anzu pointed at Jou, "He deserves whatever Kaiba dishes out to him."

"Is it just me, or do those two bicker all the time like they’re married?" Otogi asked Bakura, speaking up for the first time since their arrival as he eyed Anzu and Honda up suspiciously. Bakura only snickered in response, clearly as amused as the dice duelist at his side.

Mokuba, in the meantime, worried his lower lip. He gave up trying to gain their attention, it was clear that he would not be able to under these circumstances. Right now, he was more worried about how Jounouchi was taking in the entire argument. One look at his blond lover and he knew his initial assumption was correct.

Jounouchi now stood straight. His arms crossed, his hands balled into white-knuckled fists. His jaw was clamped tight and his teeth showing, an angry growl emitting from his throat. The blond was obviously furious with the growing situation. And with his temper, he would most likely blow at any moment. Jou’s amber eyes glared into Anzu’s cerulean defiantly as he ground his teeth together and readied his verbal assault. Before that happened, or anyone else could speak, however, an arrogant voice cut through the tension.

"Trust me, he will be punished accordingly. Though, probably not to your expectations."

Everyone, with the exception of Jounouchi, turned his or her attention to Kaiba as he walked into view beyond the doorway where the blond stood. He wore nothing more than a thick robe, open just enough to allow a gracious view of his surprisingly muscled chest. His hair was also wet, indicating Bakura’s earlier statement was in fact, true, and ultimately causing a few rather confused stares.

"Kaiba! Thank God! Do you have any idea..."

"Spare me the narration Mazaki. I could hear your mouth all the way down the hall and am full aware of what is going on." The CEO, to everyone’s surprise, came up behind Jounouchi, wrapped his arms possessively around the blond’s waist and rested his chin upon his head. Jou, in the meantime, leaned casually back into his lover’s embrace, enjoying the warmth and support that Seto silently provided. Everyone else just stared in shock as this happened, even Mokuba, who was not expecting his brother to be so casual in the least.

"Kaiba... Jounouchi... You two? But I thought..." Anzu stood there, completely and utterly confused now, as it appeared that the two were together. But then, where did that put Jou and Mokuba. ‘What the hell is going on?’

Honda was baffled as well. He knew for a fact, that Jou and Mokuba were in a relationship. The blond had even told him so. So where did Kaiba come in. There was only one explanation, and every second that passed by, Honda became more perplexed. "Idiot! Do you have any idea what the hell you are getting yourself into?"

Jou pinched the bridge of his nose. He was getting a headache, a rather large one, and he was becoming rather pissy. He was sure that if everyone didn’t shut-up, and soon, his head was going to explode. That he would lose all inhibition and beat the shit out of all of them.

"Jounouchi, you’re screwing around with both of them?" Bakura barked aloud, completely amused. "You really are a dog! Way to go!" He continued to roar with laughter, while the raven-haired dice master beside him just shook his head, hiding his own laughter behind his hand.

"Bakura..." Jou growled, "I swear to you, if I had a wet towel at this moment, I’d beat you with it." The last few words were yelled out in fury, for that’s what the blond was, absolutely furious. "And you!" He pointed right at Yami, his amber eyes piercing those of his startled friend. "You told me that you would keep this between us. That you were going to come over here to talk to Kaiba yourself. That did not mean to bring everyone else with you!"

Yami stood there in absolute shock. His best friend was obviously livid. And he had no clue how to defuse him in such a situation. Yami had never even seen Jou so angry before. He worked his mouth a few times, but no sound came out. For once, Yami was at a complete loss for words.

Seto, in the meantime, squeezed Jou’s arm in a comforting gesture while directing his attention towards Yami. "If you want to talk, I suggest that we take this in another room, where we will not be disturbed. We need to get this over with as soon as possible."

Yami could only nod his head in agreement. He also wanted to leave the estate, knowing that Anzu and Jou would have to be separated, and far away from each other, until the news of his friend’s triad relationship smoothed over. The tri-color haired spirit watched as Kaiba broke away from Jou, heading in the direction of a doorway to the left, before following the CEO himself. As expected, instantaneous arguing ensued between Jou and Anzu the moment he turned his back. Yami sighed, rolling his eyes as Honda tried futility to come between them, placate the obstinate girl, and defuse the hot-tempered blond by changing the subject.

Kaiba was becoming rather irritated with the girl’s high-pitched voice, and her belligerent comments toward his lover and their relationship, more so than he was with the blond’s propensity to loose his temper like a four year old. He grabbed the door handle, wrenching it open and gesturing with barely constrained fury for his smaller rival to enter the hallway. "I hope you don’t plan on giving me a four-hour lecture, Yugi." He waited for the other teen to pass, before entering the hallway and taking lead. "After all, this really has nothing to do with you to begin with. That..." He started, before Yami could interject, "And I don’t plan on subjecting my brother or Jou to that bitch’s verbal abuse any longer than necessary."

"Her name is Anzu, Kaiba. And this is my business, as it is for us all," Yami countered, entering the room that the CEO had stepped into. Standing before him, as Kaiba leaned against a table, Yami looked around briefly before his amethyst eyes finally landed on the executive.

Seto just stood, leaning against the metal table with his arms and ankles crossed, staring his rival’s darker half down as he spoke. "Look Yugi, I know that you and Jounouchi are friends, as well as my brother and the rest of those ingrates standing in the foyer as we speak. Regardless, what we do is none of your concern. If you are that disquieted, however, then I suppose you should be aware, and make sure that you, and the rest of your minions, keep your mouths shut about what is going on." Kaiba couldn’t help but remain concerned as he observed the other teen. Yami was standing there, quietly analyzing him and his every move as well. For what exactly, the brunet didn’t know. What he did know was that it was making him feel uneasy. And Kaiba Seto was rarely ever nervous.

"Don’t worry Kaiba. I’m not here to patronize or demoralize you. I just want to know what is going on, as well as your intentions," Yami mollified.

The brunet narrowed his blue-eyes in suspicion. "What do you mean my intentions?"

"What I mean is, why bring Jounouchi into your relationship with your brother? What do you hope to gain? And, if you are using him for some sick twisted plot or for revenge, so help you Kaiba..."

"First of all, Yugi..."

"Yami," the tri-colored haired youth intervened. "That’s what everyone else calls me. Yugi has nothing to do with our conversation."

"He doesn’t? How so?" Kaiba inquired sarcastically.

"Simple, because even though Yugi is concerned, as we all are, he would not confront either of you on such a convoluted issue." The spirit crossed his arms over his chest, then narrowing his own violet eyes at the CEO, daring him to continue in stalling the conversation.

"Well, excuse me if I continue to perceive you as one and the same, Yugi," Kaiba stated condescendingly. "Now, as I was trying to say. Mokuba and I have discussed our relationship extensively, as well as our thoughts and feelings towards Jounouchi. Mokuba even came up with the entire scheme that started everything between the three of us." Here Kaiba held up a hand, "Don’t even think of asking me to go into the particulars about it."

Yami raised an eyebrow, "I wouldn’t dream of it."

"As far as what I hope to gain..." here Kaiba staggered. How was he to explain just what was going through his head, and what he was feeling, to his adversary? Seto wasn’t exactly articulate, as far as personal relations were concerned. He was also a stickler for personal privacy. So how would he come out with an explanation, without making it seem as if he was some love struck child bent on puppy love. Puppy love. That thought made the brunet snicker. Shaking his head, he decided that the only course was to just admit the truth, at least, as much as he would allow at any rate. "All I hope to gain is his... love and respect." The last bit was a mere whisper between the two, as Seto bent his head, obviously finding the tiled floor more amusing.

Yami regarded Kaiba closely, studying every nuance in his face and body language, trying to decipher if his statement was fact, or fiction. But then again, when was Kaiba one to even joke about affection? The spirit then stood there, stunned, and at a loss of words. Now, the only thing that seemed to take precedence was his next concern. "Kaiba... You are aware of the dangers of such a relationship, are you not?" He inquired in a quite tone.

"Of course I thought of the repercussions. Mokuba and I have gone over them thoroughly," Kaiba rebuked.

"Then what do you plan on doing, to keep your relationship safe from others who would wish you harm?"

"First off, I need your word that none of you, and I do mean none, go running your mouths to anyone!" The part demand, part request was made out of desperation, which was obvious to them both.

"I promise Kaiba, that I will do all I can to keep your relationship a secret from the public, or anyone else for that matter," Yami placated.

"Second... I’ve already gone over this with Katsuya. If anything does happen to go wrong, we will immediately bring only our relationship to the front. Nothing of my brother will be mentioned," He looked right at Yami when he revealed his next statement. "I will also be warning them both, especially Mokuba, about public displays of affection, and that he has to keep his excitement level to a minimum." Here he smiled slightly. "Jou and I have both been privy to his... Seductive inclinations," the brunet vindicated.

The spirit of the puzzle was shocked, not for the first time that afternoon. Though he should have supposed Kaiba would have a back-up plan for something this serious. The question was... Would it work? Only time would tell. Yami then took a moment, turning his conscious inward, as he discussed with his partner his thoughts. It didn’t take long; however, as they both came to the same quick conclusion. Compassion flowing through his veins, he figured that the least they could do for their two friends in such a predicament, was support them, and help them out as much as they could, if the time ever came that the three needed it. Yami then nodded to the brunet, "Fine. In that case, I’ll support you two anyway I can."

"I didn’t ask for your support," Seto barked, before leaving a sigh, one that seemed to hold both relief and gratitude. "But thank you, in advanced." A small smile graced the CEO’s lips at that moment. One that Yami was certain he’d never forget, as it was a rare occasion indeed that he’d be privy to such an act. "Does that mean that you have found what you are looking for? That this conversation is over?" Seto inquired.

"Yes," Yami answered, with his own smile in place. "Yes it does. Besides, I suppose we should get out there before they kill each other." The spirit gestured with his thumb towards the door, where beyond the two could hear what sounded like a scream fest going on in the foyer where they left their friends.

Seto winced at the level of the bantering, shocked himself that the mere argument had turned to a full-blown fight. He even anticipated that it would turn physical, and therefore walked swiftly to the door, motioning for Yami to follow.




* * * * *



Honda was becoming exasperated. No matter what he tried to defuse the two, it didn’t work. And he was running out of ideas, quick. Even one of his eyes began to twitch as he stood between the two, his ears ringing from all of the shouting back and forth. He knew his best friend was in distress and Anzu... Well, that girl knew how to drive even the most callous of people insane.

Bakura, in the meantime, had stopped laughing, which was a damn miracle to all present. He even stepped back, choosing to be a silent spectator, though remaining alert enough to step in if need be, as it seemed that things were only becoming worse.

Otogi had, at some point, silently moved over to the blond’s other side, standing beside Mokuba so as to intervene himself if the situation required. That, and Mokuba seemed to be rather distressed over the issue. Otogi would have tried to talk to him, but as the tears welled in the boy’s eyes, and the shouting grew, he knew he wouldn’t be able to ease his companion. He knew Mokuba was feeling weak and unable to do anything to help out, even though he had tried numerous times. The dice master felt awful, but knew that he could do nothing more then stand by the boy’s side, and watch as his friends continued to quarrel. He never expected, however, for Anzu to push this far, or for Jou to lose his cool.

"You, Jounouchi, are the biggest pervert I have ever had the misfortune of meeting!" Anzu declared, pointing her finger directly at the blond in question. "Not only are you screwing around with your rival, one that treats you poorly no less, but you are a child molester as well! You ought to be castrated for your deviancy!"

Everybody in the room visibly winced over her remark, though they all harbored different reactions as well. Otogi, mentally caught up in the argument, cupped his own balls instinctively. He wouldn’t put it past the girl to take her anger out on any male within the vicinity. And he didn’t care one bit to give her the upper hand with his assets. Honda just stared at her, completely aghast that she would make such a remark. Even Bakura, whose arms were now crossed over his chest, his fists in tight balls stood stiff, staring at the girl with malice clearly portrayed in his violet orbs.

Mokuba, on the other hand, was absolutely livid. How dare she put the sole blame on Jounouchi, and talk to him that way? Sure, he could understand her being upset. Most people he knew would be. But to go that far... Taking a quick glance at his lover, Mokuba could see that Jou wasn’t fairing much better. The blond’s face was pale, his own golden eyes filled with tears that he was obviously trying to suppress. Seeing this, Mokuba’s fists balled at his sides, tears of anger and fear filling his eyes. Fear that Jou would now change his mind and decide to leave him and his brother, took root in his mind and heart. Having had enough, the raven-haired boy stepped forward, opening his mouth to speak after a silence that seemed to stretch for an eternity when he was interrupted by Jou’s own explosive outburst.

"By the Gods! Will you just shut the hell up Mazaki and give me a chance so that I may explain things to you? Everyone knows you’re a cunt, but hell, even I thought you had a brain in that skull of yours!"

"Just who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" Anzu screeched. "You dog!"

"Damnit Honda! Put a leash on your bitch before I decide to knock her out! And you know damn well that I don’t believe in smacking women!"

"Allow me to give you the definition of cunt," a deep voice broke through the throng, drawing in all attention. "Can’t. Understand. Normal. Thinking… Now shut the hell up Mazaki, before I kick your sorry ass out myself." Seto was furious. Not only was he able to hear the echoes of their shouts from the other room, where he and Yami were talking, but he just so happened to catch the tail end of the argument as well. Starting with Anzu’s threat. That, coupled with the fact that his brother and his lover were distressed, as well as near tears, he was ready to slap the damn wretch himself.

"Seto!" Mokuba was glad that his brother was back. He looked to him, eyes wide and silently pleading with his older sibling to make everything all right once again.

Kaiba could sense his little brother’s plea; however, there was something that he wanted to clear up first. Walking up behind Jounouchi, he sat on a nearby chair, pulling the blond into his lap and wrapping his arms around him in a sudden streak of possessiveness.

Still riled up from the argument, and astonished by the affectionate display, Jounouchi struggled, trying to remove himself from the brunet’s lap. "Let go of me!"

"Sorry, but I can’t do that," Seto countered, not quite willing to let the blond go, nor able to for the time being.

"Why the hell not!" Jou shrieked indignantly.

Kaiba leaned forward, whispering in the blond’s ear so that only he could hear. "Put it this way... Would you prefer that everyone here get a clear view of my assets?"

Jou was confused for a moment, before his eyes went wide, and his cheeks red with the recognition, "Your... Aren’t you wearing anything beneath that robe?" He whispered right back.

"No. So I suggest, unless you feel like giving everyone here a birds-eye view, that you sit your butt back where it belongs." A small, almost devious smile played across Kaiba’s lips. Making all present wonder just what it was that the two were talking about.

"Hell no!" Jou retorted.

"So you are going to let everyone see?" Seto asked, feigning shock.

"Don’t make me reiterate Kaiba! Hell no! You’re mine to view, no one else’s!" Jou declared vehemently. Hearing a squawk of indignation, everyone then adverted his or her attention to Mokuba, who stood there with one hell of a pout on his face, directed exactly to the blond. "Eh. Except Mokuba." Jou chuckled a little, as Mokuba’s face lit up. He frowned slightly, chastising himself for not realizing within all the ruckus, that perhaps Mokuba had been affected by the whole ordeal. Looking towards the boy apologetically, Jou made a silent appeal to talk to him after everything settled a bit, and everyone had gone home.

"What? Kaiba and Mokuba... But you’re bro..."

Yami was the one to shock everyone this time, however, as he spoke up, reprimanding the girl before she could finish her thoughts. "Shut the hell up Anzu!" The spirit growled. The fight had finally seemed to recede, and he’d be damned if he allow the girl to start up again.

That’s when Seto decided to turn the tables a bit. His goal was to direct as much attention to the girl as possible. If he could, he’d embarrass her next, as payment for her insolence. "So, Honda and Mazaki are together." This was more of a statement than a question.

"Huh?" Jou asked, shocked by the change of subject. "Yes. They’ve been together for sometime now."

"But I always thought that Mazaki and Yugi were together," Kaiba divulged, allowing a little of his perplexity to show.

"No. Yami and Yugi are together," Jou stated, as if they were talking about the weather. Everyone else just stared at them, wondering when the hell any of them had become the topic of conversation, and why.

"How is that possible when they are the same person?" Kaiba was now confused. This... This did not make sense to him in the least.

"Not really," Jou countered.

"They are as far as I’m concerned!" Kaiba was becoming rather agitated. He didn’t understand how Yugi, and the other aspect of him, could be together if they were one and the same. The whole thing was rather confusing, and was serving to give him a headache if not clarified soon.

"Well..." Leaning close, Jou whispered in his ear about how Yami was able to come out of the puzzle, but how only Yugi could see him. The blond then explained to his lover what both boys have told them about what they do, when they are alone.

Seto recoiled, absolute shock adorning his face as he stuttered a reply. "That was not something I needed to know!" Jou just laughed, knowing that Seto would never be able to view Yugi, or Yami for that matter, the same ever again. Kaiba took a deep breath, then regaining his composure enough to look towards Honda with an inquisitive stare. "Hm. It appears that I was under the wrong assumption about you."

"Why’s that?" Honda asked cautiously.

"I was under the impression that you had a good head on you. Apparently, however, you are more concerned with the one between your legs, than the one on your shoulders. A serious mistake I assure you."

"Seto!"

"Kaiba!"

Both Mokuba and Jou stared at him the brunet in wide-eyed shock. Seto, however, just laughed, having been joined by everyone else in the room except for Anzu and Honda, the latter of who was too busy blushing to get a decent word in on his defense.

"Well, I’ve gotten what I originally came for. So I suggest that we all leave now," Yami declared. "Kaiba, thank you for your time, even if it was an inconvenience."

"Yeah well, just don’t go making a habit of it," Seto grunted.

"No problem." Yami turned to head for the door, motioning for the others to vacate as well.

"But... You’re just planning to leave without talking any sense into him?" Anzu inquired of Yami, not certain of why he would leave his best friend in a situation such as this.

"Come on Anzu. Enough already. Let’s just go." Honda grabbed the girl’s hand, dragging her out the door and engaging in their own argument the moment they were outside.

Otogi only waved politely, before poking his white-haired companion in the side, earning a glare in return. Bakura then turned as well, leaving his own salute as he walked out the door with the raven-haired dice master in tow.

Mokuba also followed, only coming to a halt as he stepped on the porch. Closing the door all but a crack, he kept his hand on the knob, turning to face the bantering couple in the courtyard. "Anzu?" Only when the girl looked in his direction, and he knew he had her attention, did he began to speak with a seriousness that none of them had been privy to in the past. "Regardless of what you think, I am the one who made the first move. I am the one who seduced Jounouchi, leaving him with no other choice then to succumb to my brother’s wishes, and mine. Not the other way around." Turning, he left the four standing in the courtyard in shock as he re-entered the house, passing Yami, check that, Yugi, as he walked to stand near his brother and Jounouchi.




* * * * *



Yami was heading for the door himself, when he suddenly stopped. A soft glow surrounded him for a moment, before he turned to address his blond friend, who remained with the two brothers within the house. "Jou..."

Big, pleading, violet eyes stared at him, leaving Jou no question of who was speaking to him. The voice was also a dead giveaway, being that it was of a higher-pitch. "Sorry Yugi," the blond placated. "I’d see you out, however, Kaiba has a .45 stuck up the backside of my shorts that swears to blow a load if I move," Jou deadpanned.

Kaiba merely sputtered, before poking Jou in the side, while Mokuba outright laughed at the blond’s joust.

Yugi, however, only shook his head at his friend’s antics. Walking up to Jounouchi, he wrapped his arms around the blond’s neck and gave him a friendly squeeze before letting go and facing the three boys. "I’m glad that you three are finally finding happiness. I hope it lasts for you." The diminutive boy smiled, and then waved good-bye, before rushing out the door and closing it behind.

Jou heaved a sigh of relief, wiping the leftover moisture from his eyes quickly. He relaxed a little as he felt Seto’s warm embrace tighten slightly, and an inviting shiver ran down his spine as he felt his lover’s heated breath along his ear.

"Are you all right?" Seto asked, wondering how the blond was fairing against everything that had transpired in the last, what he assumed to be, couple of hours.

"I’ll be fine," Jou admitted. And he would. He had come to the horrid conclusion when their relationship first started a couple days prior that this may happen. That his friends would find out sooner or later, and that they would either be accepting, or in Anzu’s case, belligerent and accusing. "Besides, you were right."

"Oh? How’s that?" Seto asked, raising himself and the blond up, until they were both standing.

"If they truly are my friends, they will accept me and my decision and keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, I suppose if anything, I’ll learn who my true friends are, and who aren’t." Jou turned, wrapping his arms around his taller lover’s waist for a moment, and basking in his warmth, before pulling away. "You both could have just gotten fed up and kicked me out of your lives, but you didn’t. Instead, you stood by and supported me. Thank you for understanding, and choosing to be there for me."

"Jounouchi!" Mokuba ran up to the two, enveloping them both in a hug, as far as his arms would allow him to. Jou just grabbed the boy up in a one-arm hug, looking to his other lover as he patted his head and began to walk away, towards the stairs. Seto didn’t worry about Mokuba, for he knew that the boy would be all right, once Jou had convinced them that he would stay, regardless of what his friends thought.

"Where are you going?" Jou inquired, a bit hoarsely.

"I don’t know about you two," Seto started as he ascended the stairs, "But I’m heading to my room to take a shower."

Shaking his head, Jou chuckled, squatting down until he was eye level with Mokuba. "Are you all right?" The blond asked in concern.

"Yes. Now that I know you’re not leaving us." Mokuba’s voice was meek. His eyes filled with tears of both joy and sorrow, as it seems that he had experienced both in the same day.

"I’m not going anywhere Mokuba. At least, not until you or your brother ask me to." Jou wiped the tears from the boy’s eyes, leaving a chaste kiss on his nose, as he leaned in conspiratorially. "If you’re up for it... I have an idea on how we can deliver your brother’s welcome home present."

"His welcome home present?" Mokuba echoed, not quite sure what his blond lover was talking about.

"Yes, Mokuba, his present. A present that only the two of us can hand him." Jou wriggled his brows as an indicator of just what the present entailed.

"Do tell," Mokuba claimed, leaning in close to the blond for details.

"Here’s what we’ll do."