Tied Together

Sorry was a little late updating, been busy this week and it didn't leave a lot of time for writing. So it's kind of a short chapter, but will try to make the next one longer.

Lauren L. : Thanks, glad you like. Here's number 3

KiraRaven : Wow longest review I've had! Thanks very much. I agree completely with you about the characters personalities. It means a lot that you think I write them well. Thanks again for the very sweet review. Take care too.

Tellnoone_Noonetells : Cool, I'm relieved you find it funny. Though it does put the pressure on a bit to keep it up!^_^ Thanks very much.

Mazu : Thanks, I'm pleased you're liking it. next chap for you.

yaoirose : That was one long oh! Thanks for the review.

So here's number three...enjoy...


“When’s you birthday?” Was the first thing Ohana asked when they came through the door of her office for their first session that afternoon. They came in to see her seated behind her desk reading one of those trashy women’s celeb magazines. “Mine’s December 30th which makes me a Capricorn and according to this “the link between Mercury and Mars enables you to make some quick decisions.” She read from the page. “So when is your birthday?”

“January 25th” Joey replied while Kaiba as usual refused to respond.

“Hmm…that would make you an Aquarius.” She scanned the page for the relevant sign. “Ah here we go…“Love always wins through at the end of the day and, despite some angry words, you are able to find a meeting point. It's good that you can express your feelings because this enables you to let go of what has been bugging you. All's well that ends well.”

“Wait it really says that?” Ohana nodded, turning the magazine around so Joey could see for himself. Sure enough that’s what it said.

“I can’t believe that you two are bothering with those stupid things. It’s complete nonsense.” Joey wasn’t surprised by Kaiba’s comment, he remembered countless occasions when the brunette had voiced his opinion on future predicting and fate. Being the control freak that he was, Kaiba didn’t what to believe that his life was in anyone hands but his own. Not that he believe in them either, it was more of a girly thing really, horoscopes and all that, but it didn’t hurt to know.

“Oh I know that,” Ohana said turning to Kaiba, “it’s just a bit of fun. Come on, tell me your birthday.”

“No, I’m not interested.”

“But I am, so tell me.” It seemed Kaiba wasn’t gonna play ball this time. “If it’s just nonsense what does it matter? Nothings gonna happen. I mean all I what to know is your birthday.”

“October 25th.” He said finally as though it pained him to say it.

“Ooh a Scorpio! Let’s see…”Nothing matters nearly as much as you think it does but that won't stop you feeling a bit annoyed about it all. You need to take steps to fulfill your duties if you want to avoid alienating those around you. There's still time to reach an agreement here. To swing into your next phase.”…there see, that wasn’t so bad was it?” Ohana smiled at Kaiba who simply glared daggers back. “Ok on that note I think we’ll start with you Mr Wheeler.” Ohana came forward and removed the handcuffs from them. “Come on Joey, can you follow me please.”

“Right Miss Ohana.”

“Please call me Risa. I’m not your teacher so first names are fine. So I’ll first see you Joey and Seto can wait out here until it’s his turn later.” Kaiba hmphed as he sat down, taking his laptop out while Joey followed Risa into the next room.

“His like a little ray of sunshine isn’t he?” Risa said on closing the door. The room they were in now had the feel of someone’s living room, rather than that of an office or classroom. A large bookcase covered one of the walls from top to bottom, its shelves filled with a vast assortment of books and scrolls. The only other furniture in the room was a sofa, chair and a table. “Please take a seat.” Joey moves to the sofa, assuming that the single chair was for Ohana.

“How has your day been?” Risa asked as she took her seat. She raised her eyebrows at the look Joey gave her. “That bad huh?”

“You have no idea.” Joey groaned. “There’s no way you can make us get along. It’s not gonna happen.”

“You’re right I can’t make you two get along. It’s impossible to make two people like each other. I know that. But that’s not what I’m doing here. I’m not making you… I’m making you –want– to. Do you see what I’m saying?” Joey didn’t. As far as he could see it was still about making the two of them like the other, which she just said was impossible. “Ok let’s put this another way…” Risa explained further when Joey shook his head. “It’s like me trying to teach you something, you won’t learn anything unless you have the want…the desire to learn. I can’t force the knowledge into you unless you’re willing to take it in. Do you understand it now?”

“Yeah I think so. We’ll –want– to get along so we can get the cuffs off quicker right?”

“Exactly. Simple huh?”

“Kinda…it’s still not gonna happen.” Sure he understood it now, didn’t mean he was optimistic about it working.

“And why do you say that?”

“Because Kaiba’s a stubborn egotistical jerk and I hate him.”

“Now Joey, hate is a very strong word to use. You have to give it your all to hate someone. Look why don’t we try observing Kaiba’s good points rather than focusing on his bad ones.”

“Easier said than done.” Jou muttered under his breath. “He doesn’t have any.”

“I don’t think for a second that you believe that to be true. Come now Wheeler you must be able to tell me some good things about him.”

“Why? What’s that gonna do?”

“It’ll help stop your negative thinking. When ever you’re with Kaiba you always focus on all the bad aspects of his personality, all the things you hate about him. So hopefully by switching your thinking to the parts you like it will be easier for you to be in each others company.” It sounded sensible enough but to Joey putting this sort of thing into practice was going to be difficult. How do you look at someone’s good side when all they ever show you is the arrogant rich boy one?

“…Well… I guess there’s the way he is with his brother. The way he’s always looking out for him. I have a younger sister so I understand how he feels. Huh…I guess it’s one of the only things we have in common.” Risa nodded in encouragement, inviting him to continue. “And as much as I can’t stand him, he’s not a particularly bad person, sure he’s not very nice but he ain’t exactly evil or nothing.”

“See there you are, you can use those.” Joey gave her a skeptical look. “Yeah I know, it’ll take some practice and I’m sure Kaiba is not gonna make it easy for you but you’ll get there. And who knows the longer you spend with him, the more you might see and the easier it’ll get.”

“Are you gonna get Kaiba to do the same?”

“I can’t really say what I’m going to talk about with Seto anymore than I can tell him what we discussed. Sorry but those are the rules.” She said as she got up. “There that didn’t go so badly. Don’t know if I’ll be able to say the same thing in half an hour.”

“Yeah good luck.” Joey said as he left. He did not envy Ohana her role. He had no idea how she was gonna manage to get The Seto Kaiba to talk about himself. It was safe to say that Joey had known Kaiba for a while now and he still barely knew anything about him. When he entered back into the other room he saw that Kaiba was still tapping diligently on his computer. The silent treatment he got as a response when he told him it was now his turn convinced him that Risa had her work cut out for her. There was no way that she was going to be able to make it so they were civil to one other. Joey sat down in Kaiba’s vacant chair wondering what was going on in the other room.


A/N: Don't know why I put in the horoscope bit, just seemed like a fun thing to do at the time. They are actual real ones that I found on the day that wrote that part, was lucky that they kinda fitted in a weird way. I got their birthdays from a website so don't blame me if they're wrong. Hoped you liked.

Plz R & R