Lost and Found

Title: Lost And Found – Episode 2

 

 

Author: Maggiemay - Special thanks to Lady Laran for bouncing out Jou's interaction with Ai with me.

 

 

Muses and Betas: Jazzy, mofaf1, Lady Laran

 

 

Disclaimer: Don't own YGO or any of it's Characters. Do own my OC's and the work contained within this work.

 

 

Summary: Life after the Pharoah left looked bright. Looks can be deceiving. Jounouchi is a cop who finds missing people. He's found everyone he's ever searched for – except one. This is the second episode in the ongoing 'Lost and Found' saga.  

 

 

Rating: M for Mature just to be safe.

 

 

Size:  23 Pages and 11002 words.

 

 

****

 

 

Honda Hiroto juggled the bags of office supplies as he struggled to fit his key in the lock of the newly rented 'Lost and Found People Finders' office.  A soft step beside him and the weight of two of the bags being lifted made him grunt in appreciation as the key slid home and the doorknob turned.  "Thanks."  He smiled over his shoulder, expecting to see his best bud and business partner Jounouchi.  His smile faltered when he met the dark eyes of Jounouchi's ex-boss, their current contract employer, Captain Miyahara.

 

 

"Captain Miyahara!  Thank you.  Please follow me.  We are just getting settled into our new office, and I didn't expect to see a client."

 

 

"You looked like you were having difficulties."  The man smiled and for the first time, Honda realized that the Captain was only a few years older than himself and remarkably attractive.  Not handsome, but almost pretty, with delicate features and huge, liquid black eyes.  "We have been leaving messages for your company for seven hours.  I decided to come and make sure you don't breach your contract because of faulty messaging equipment.  The last time I called it disconnected me before I could complete my message."

 

 

Honda gave him a horrified look.  "It is supposed to forward all messages to myself and Jounouchi.  I haven't received a message, and I just left Jounouchi deciding on desks.  I know he hasn't received any either."

 

 

"Then  perhaps you should check the message forwarding function as well as the message."  Miyahara looked around the empty space, its one piece of furniture a simple wooden stand holding a multi line telephone.  "I will put these in the corner."

 

 

"Oh yeah.  Sorry but you've called eleven times?  It must be urgent."  Honda bent to fiddle with the buttons of the malfunctioning machine.

 

 

"We have called five times."  Miyahara knew that number as he had made the calls personally.

 

 

"Oh!  I wonder who..."  Honda grabbed a large steno pad from one of the bags and pulled a pen from his pocket.  "Captain, I'll send a text to Jounouchi that you are waiting.  He should be back very soon.  I need to check the rest of these messages.  Do you mind?"

 

 

"Not at all."  He stood with his hands folded at his waist and watched as first Jounouchi Katsuya's partner sent a text, then bent to the answering machine.  It was obvious the other man didn't know how to operate it because instead of playing through the handset the messages played on speaker.

 

 

Honda Hiroto gave him an embarrassed looked and mumbled an apology, but began to take notes.  The first call was from himself, as were the subsequent three.  The fifth through the tenth were came from a tearful sounding woman begging Katsuya to call her.  The eleventh was Miyahara again, but this time his message was cut off abruptly.

 

 

The muscular brunette mumbled under his breath, then sighed.  With an apologetic glance, he explained. "It's new, and we have to download the manual.  It was missing from the packaging."  That was an outright lie, but Honda wasn't going to admit that he'd rolled it up and attempted to beat Otogi Ryuji with it.  If there was one person Honda did not want to discuss Ryuji with, it was this man.  The buzz of his text ringtone made him reach for it like a drowning man reaching for a lifeline.

 

 

"It's quite all right, Honda-san.  I understand you are just getting your new office setup.  That is why I chose to come in person."  The captain smiled slightly.  "Was that Jounouchi-san?"

 

 

"Yes.  He says he's two minutes away.  I... Don't really have any place for you to sit yet."

 

 

"As I said, I do understand.  Please don't trouble yourself.  I am not uncomfortable.  Once I speak to Jounouchi, I will go back to the station or on site."  Miyahara gave him a small smile.  "Have you and Jounouchi known each other long?  I've worked with him for four years, and I have never heard him mention a friend."

 

 

Honda was too relieved to be out of an embarrassing situation to wonder why the frank question.  "We go way back to before middle school.  About the time Jou got married, I went to the states for school."  Puzzled, he asked "He never talks about Yugi or Anzu?"

 

 

"The only things I know of his private life is what he put on his resume and what I've seen and heard the few times his ex-wife has visited him."  The man frowned slightly. "As much as I will miss having him work for me, I believe this is a good move.  He is very dedicated and would work seventy hours or more a week on missing persons.  A man can't work hours like that and maintain a healthy balance."

 

 

Honda was shocked to hear about Jou's recent lifestyle.  "I... I don't know what to say.  We haven't been close since I went abroad, but that doesn't sound like the guy I know.  Sure he was dedicated to doing a good job but he liked his downtime too."

 

 

"Yes, on rare occasions I caught a glimpse of the playful, humorous side of Jounouchi.  I assumed that his divorce and the loss of his child caused the change.  It is good he is letting go of that pain and moving forward with his life.  Now he will have time to devote not only to a job but perhaps a lover as well."

 

 

Something in the man's voice brought Honda's gaze up warily.  "You are..."

 

 

The door was flung open with enough force to rattle the hinges.  "Captain Miyahara!  I'm sorry about the glitching piece of crap.  Honda texted me that you had something urgent.  What's up?"  Jounouchi put a few bags on the pile and turned expectantly to his ex-boss.

 

 

"A visitor to Kaibaland Domino is missing.  A young woman of nineteen was enjoying the park with her date when she simply vanished.  She was last seen going to the concession stand."

 

 

Jou gave him a 'duh' look.  "That entire place is watched by cameras.  Look at the recordings."

 

 

"It was the first thing we did.  She goes to the concession stand and then for some reason veers over to stand under a tree.  The angle of the camera obscures all but her feet.  She was carrying a large keepsake bag.  She sets it down by her feet, obscuring even that view.  The bag was still there, but she was gone."  He smiled and shook his head.  "The tree overhangs a building.  The building is part of the maintenance infrastructure of the park.  It leads down to tunnels under the park.  There are no cameras in the tunnels."

 

 

"How would someone get access?  Kaiba is security conscious.  He wouldn't leave the door open."

 

 

"The door was propped open to allow ventilation.  The cooling fan in that area was being worked on.  The maintenance was unscheduled.  The fan stopped working less than an hour before her disappearance."

 

 

"So not planned.  An impulse."  Jou sighed.  "Okay, I'll meet you at the park entrance in about an hour."

 

 

"We can go together.  I will be happy to take you home afterwards."  Miyahara offered.

 

 

Jou thought about it for a second.  "A ride down is a good idea.  Honda, the store agreed to deliver the desks right away.  You stay and wait for them?  Call me when they are done and I'll tell you where to meet me."

 

 

"Do you want me to call Shizuka?  She was very upset,"  Honda asked softly.

 

 

"She knows work comes first, but call her anyway.  Tell her I'll call her tonight."  Jou smiled "Thanks, Honda."  He turned to Miyahara and nodded. "Let's go."

 

 

Miyahara told him what he knew of the case, the lack of witnesses and anything else he considered pertinent.  When the blond didn't comment or ask questions, he glanced over with one eyebrow arched "No questions?"

 

 

"Not really.  I have to assess the area and look at the recordings.  I need to see it for myself."  Jounouchi frowned and shook his head.  "There had to be someone who saw something.  That place is crawling with people."

 

 

"Not that we've found."  Miyahara turned and looked at him intently.  "Would you like for me to drive while you call your young lady?  I overheard her messages.  She sounded very distraught."

 

 

"I love my little sister more than anything, but she is going through drama with her boyfriend right now.  She calls once a week 'distraught.'  As much as I love her, it's hard for a big brother to listen to his baby sister talk about relationship troubles.  It won't interfere with my work."  He assured Miyahara.

 

 

"It never crossed my mind."  The older man said simply.  "I was just concerned she may need you urgently.  Now that we've made contact, you do have twenty four hours to begin work on the case."

 

 

"Thank you, but if it's really urgent Honda will call me."  Jou's breath caught, just as it always did when he visited Kaibaland.  The soaring dragon statues were incredibly lifelike.  He expected them to take flight any second.

 

 

"Amazing, isn't it?  You duel, don't you?"  Miyahara pulled up to the gates and put the car in park.

 

 

"I used to."  Jou agreed shortly.  "I've retired."  Before the captain could ask more, Jou was out of the car, making his way to the huddle of officers at the front gate.  He called a low greeting, one returned by most of the officers.  The only one to not return the greeting was his old squadmate Watanabe.  "Okay, show me the site."

 

 

With a curt nod, the younger officer took off at a brisk walk.  Jounouchi was surprised to find Miyahara keeping pace with them.  The other man gave him a rueful grimace and shrugged as if to answer his unasked question.  Jou just shrugged back and continued to the scene.

 

 

He had to hand it to Kaiba's security.  They had the entire sector of the park closed off with intimidating men armed with radios and batons standing guard every few yards.  Roland waited at the only obvious opening to the area.  "Jounouchi-san, thank you for coming.  When Kaiba-san suggested you, it was not certain you could come.  He prevailed upon some contacts at the police department, and they brought you in.”

 

 

"Kaiba asked for me?"  Jou frowned fiercely; that didn't sound right.  Seto had been very definite about tossing him out of his life.

 

 

"Kaiba Mokuba," Roland corrected.  "He is reviewing the security recordings now, hoping to find something."

 

 

"Show me the scene," he requested briskly.

 

 

"Of course.  Right this way."  Jou was led to what appeared to be a courtyard dedicated to Kuriboh.  The little puff balls were everywhere, from the statues to the decals on the benches.  "I thought he hated Kuriboh."

 

 

"What did you say, Jounouchi?"  Miyahara asked softly.

 

 

"Oh nothing."  In the middle of the paved walkway Jou froze, something tugging at him with greatinsistence.  "Wait."  He barked.  "There is something."  His dark eyes scanned around him, looking for what he had seen with his eyes but not with his conscious brain.  Slowly, he walked in a concentric circle pattern, eyes moving over every inch of space.  "Where is the 'thing' that was here?  What was it?"  He pointed to an area with flattened grass under the spreading branches of a large tree.

 

 

Miyahara jerked slightly and glanced at Watanabe.  "Nothing was supposed to leave the area.  It looks like some kind of cart or something."

 

 

"I'll go review the recordings and return with an answer."  Watanabe gritted with frustration.  It was basic, and he'd missed it.  After spending hours looking Jounouchi, the freak, was on scene for less than a minute and picked up something so basic.  It was maddening.

 

 

"Nah, don't bother.  I'll look after I'm done here.  Why don't you go get a drink and cool down, you're looking overheated."  Jounouchi didn't stop scanning the surroundings once.  He didn't see the enraged expression cross Watanabe's face. What he'd meant as a kindness was taken as a rebuff and insult.

 

 

Stiffly, the young officer said "If I'm not needed here I'll go back to the office and do the paperwork."  Jou nodded and waved him away.  To his fury his boss, Captain Miyahara, copied the move almost exactly.  Flinging them both a scathing glance, he stomped away.

 

 

Jou continued to look around, following a pattern only he could see.  Here and there he would stop and look up or kneel and examine the ground.  "Hmm... Miyahara, who moved the bag?"

 

 

"The boyfriend."  Something in his tone brought the captain's head around sharply "Something?"

 

 

"Maybe.  What is in the bag?"

 

 

"A poster, a mug, and a stuffed animal."

 

 

"Okay."  Without another word, he turned towards the maintenance entrance, each step carefully placed.  Miyahara was amused and in complete awe when the blond retraced his exact steps, backwards, unerringly.  When he reached his starting place, he glanced around again and began to pace out more very precise steps.

 

 

Jou ignored the captain’s regard and continued to examine the scene.  He could see it as it was, the scene was a living breathing thing in his mind.  The heat, the smells, the motion were all moving through his mind in a kind of dance.  In the middle of the dance spun a single dancer, a young woman, hot and tired, wanting nothing more than to get a drink and stand in the shade and take  a time out from the milling crowds and bright sun.

 

 

He didn't go in to access tunnel.  He would later.  First, he had a few questions for the boyfriend and he wanted to check the recording.  He stopped his search, froze the image in his mind, and turned to the watching man.  "The boyfriend?"

 

 

"He's being detained in an office at the administrative complex.  It's..."

 

 

"I've been here about a thousand times since it opened.  I know where it is.  Do you know whose office?"

 

 

"The operations manager's.  First floor, third door on the left."

 

 

"Got it.  Thanks.  You don't have to hang.  Honda will come get me.  I'll call you if there is anything to report."  With a wave the blond jogged off, not hearing Miyahara's reply.

 

 

Insufferable snob was Jou's first impression of the young man.  He was very good looking and knew it.  He was the type of boy who had probably been fawned over by women all of his life.  He respected nothing and felt everything was his due.  It didn't get any better as the interview progressed.  The man was more worried about missing his 'next' date than the missing girl.  It rubbed Jou the wrong way.  "Just for the sake of formalities, this conversation is being recorded."

 

 

"Yeah, I got it.  Can you hurry up?  I have a date."  The callousness was appalling.

 

 

"You do realize the young woman you brought to the park, Itou Aika, is missing?  That as the person who was with her you are the top suspect?"

 

 

"That's ridiculous."  Suzuki Iwao dismissed out of hand.

 

 

"She's missing, and you don't seem to care at all.  That seems strange since she is your girlfriend."

 

 

"I've already told the other cops.  She isn't my girlfriend.  She is the daughter of my father's boss.  We have nothing in common, and it is a date arranged by our parents.  She is a boring mouse, about as exciting as sausage, and just as attractive.  I was talking to another girl when she went to get a drink.  She's already fat, and she got pissed when I pointed out she didn't need the extra sugar from the soda.  I suggested she get water, and she stomped off.  When she didn't come back right away I figured she went to enjoy the park on her own.  Good riddance.  I went to look for her when she didn't answer her phone or show up at the bench we agreed to meet at if we got separated."  He gave Jou a disgusted look.  "I have never understood the appeal of this kind of place for adults.  Little kids sure, but she's nineteen and I'm twenty.  We could have done something fun like sailing or shopping.  Instead, she chose to come here."

 

 

"How long was she missing before you called her?  How long until you informed security?"  The jerk was really getting on his nerves.

 

 

"Uh... an hour and a half? Maybe an hour and forty-five minutes?  Something like that.  I was talking to Satou Chou and lost track of time."

 

 

"Do you know where Satou Chou is now?"

 

 

"She waited with me by the bench for a while then got a call and had to go.  I'm meeting her for dinner and a movie later."

 

 

"Do you have her number?  We need to verify your story."

 

 

"Yeah sure.  She programmed it in my phone."  He whipped out the phone and handed it over.  Jou scrolled through the names.  "Not finding a Chou or Satou Chou.  Did she put it in as a nickname?"

 

 

"Uh... no.  Sort it by date entered.  It'll be the last one."

 

 

"Last one listed is at eight this morning."  Jou frowned as his internal antenna quivered.  Something was off here.

 

 

"Give me that.  It's expensive and complicated.  I'm sure you're just unfamiliar with it."

 

 

Jou handed the phone back and waited patiently.  As the jerk scrolled through page after page of names he started to lose the smug superiority and confusion took its place.  "I know it's here; I watched her enter the numbers."

 

 

"Did you check it?"

 

 

"Of course not."  With more agitation, he scrolled through the numbers.  "I'm not seeing it."

 

 

"Keep looking.  When and where are you meeting her later?"

 

 

"I'm supposed to call her.  She was here here getting something for her little sister and was bored out of her mind trying to find it."

 

 

"Hmm... Okay.  Well, while you are looking for the number, you have quite a few to look through, I'll go view the security recordings."

 

 

"Security recordings?"  That disconcerted Suzuki for a moment, then anger flared.  "If you have security recordings, why are you wasting my time?  I'm leaving.  When you find the stupid girl, tell her to lose weight before she forces me on a date again."

 

 

"She forced you on this date?  How so?"  His internal antenna quivered again, stronger this time.

 

 

"Didn't you hear me?  She is the daughter of my father's boss and goes to my sister's school.  Dad has to make him happy.  I met her a few weeks ago when I visited my sister's school for a festival.  She followed me like some kind of bitch in heat."  He shrugged angrily.  "Dad pays my tuition and gives me a stipend for living expenses.  When he said she wanted to come here, I had to break a date with someone else."

"You had to break a date?  With who?  Did you tell her why you were breaking the date?"

 

 

"Trang Yuan.  Of course, I told her who and why.  We laughed about it.  She went to school with Aika and knows what a drag she is."

 

 

"I  see."  Jou nodded briskly.  "I am afraid your date will have to wait until we can confirm what you said about the other girl or we find Itou Aika."  He ignored the sputtered protests and went to find Watanabe.

 

 

He didn't have to look far.  Miyahara and his officer was standing in the hall looking pissed.  "Something wrong?"

 

 

"The recordings from this morning have been erased.  Nobody here can find them.  We viewed them earlier, focusing on the girl, but now they are all gone."

 

 

"Not possible, Kaiba uses quadruple redundant with real time disk spanning."  Jou remembered that clearly.

 

 

Watanabe, obvious having decided to stay, pursed his lips, suppressing an obvious question.  Miyahara looked surprised,  "I was told that there had been a breach.  That all security recordings from this morning were missing."

 

 

"Who told you they were missing?"

 

 

"The operations manager."

 

 

"Where is he?"

 

 

"Security office."  The man spun and stalked away.  Jou followed, snickering mentally because he'd been in the Kaibaland Security office several times.  Kaiba had thought it a great joke to have his goons roust him when he'd come with Yugi all those years ago.  The internal laughter faded as a pain darted through him.  He forced his mind away from those happy times with Yugi.  He had a girl to find and no time to miss his dead friend.

 

 

After a quick nod to the man Jou recognized from days long past, he went to the terminal and spoke directly to it.  He was positive Ai was monitoring.  "Show me the recordings."

 

 

When the man started his explanation, Jou cut him off with a quick shake of his head.  "Not talking to you."  Then he addressed the screen again.  "Ai, you have five seconds before I start making calls to newspapers, spilling things Kaiba doesn't want known.  I know you're monitoring and can hear me.  I also know that you can override any orders regarding me that Seto gave you.  So, five seconds."  He glared at the screen.  "Four... Three..."

 

 

Every person in the room except Jou face vaulted when the computer answered.  "Jounouchi-san.  So good to see you again."  Ai's voice, scrupulously polite and vaguely tinny, came from the speakers.

 

 

"Cut the bull, Ai.  Show me the security footage I need from satellite backup.  Don't bother to play innocent or dumb.  I know you've been monitoring everything.  What happened to the recordings?"

 

 

"Katsuya, don't push me."  The computer sounded remarkably put out.  "I'm going to risk deletion for talking to you.  Seto was very specific in his instructions to me.  I was to have no contact with you until he said otherwise."

 

 

"You can't be deleted so suck it up.  You found a loophole in the orders concerning me.  You would.  The recordings?"

 

 

"Of course I did.  You're the police consultant, here in a professional capacity.  He ruled out any personal contact but nothing was said about working with you as a professional.  The recordings are downloading.  The copies on the servers were wiped by persons unknown, using an unsecured connection.  I am tracing the source now."

 

 

"Do you know what happened?  Have you analyzed the recordings?"

 

 

"I have.  I have analyzed each frame, pixel by pixel, and have found something that I believe will help you, although it isn't definitive."

 

 

"Was the asshole speaking to a girl like he claimed?  Don't pretend you didn't listen to him.  Just tell me.  Every minute you waste is time that the missing girl may not have."

 

 

"Another minute to download.  I never waste time and I wouldn't pretend such an obvious lie, unless there was something to be gained that was of more value than what was lost.  Teasing you is not worth human suffering, Katsuya.  By asshole I presume you mean Suzuki, not Seto?"

 

 

"You know who I... Never mind.  Yes Suzuki."  Jou gritted.  Gods, the computer was freaking annoying.

 

 

"How was I to know?  You've called Seto several names, of which asshole featured prominently, in the last few weeks."  There was a small chuckle. "I monitor the car."

 

 

Jou wanted to pound his head against the desk, but he sighed.  "You are just like your father.  He probably told you to spy on me.  Fine, tell me what you found."

 

 

"Bringing up video now.  I assessed the earlier recording.  The young man is very rude and disrespectful of his date, Itou Aika.  I've studied dating and interpersonal relationships and the different kinds of body language involved in courtship rituals as your interaction with Seto fascinates me.  I would say that Suzuki does not care for Itou Aika.  He is, in fact, is quite promiscuous as he responds to almost all other women but her."  The screen displayed a moving image of the Kuriboh courtyard.  "As you see, Itou Aika leaves the concession stand sipping water.  She moves out of view of the cameras as she passes behind the waste and recycling receptacle.  All that is visible of her is the back edge her bag and one shoe.  She drops the bag for just a few seconds, then... pay attention to the shoe as she walks to the other side, Katsuya."  

 

 

The recording plays for a few seconds then, "Holy shit!"

 

 

"You see it.  I thought you would."  Ai chuckled in what would pass for an approximation of approval.

 

 

"See what?"  Miyahara watched the screen warily, slightly freaked by what seemed to be a woman talking from the computer.  An all-seeing woman.

 

 

"Ai, zoom in so they can see it clearly."

 

 

The image exploded forward, and the sequence was replayed.  Miyahara caught his breath at the clarity.  "That's not her shoe."

 

 

"She was wearing blue and pink Nike.  They are visible as she walks behind the waste receptacle, but when she is under the tree, her shoes are white and black.  The only place she could have gone is in the back of the receptacle."  Jou nodded.  "Ai, where was asshole during this time?"  On screen, the image forwarded ten minutes where a maintenance worker attached the bin to a kind of wheeled ball hitch and rolled it out of sight, presumably into the tunnel entrance.

 

 

"He is not present in any of the frames.  The last view I have of him is... One moment Katsuya, I am processing."  Jou could almost hear her hard drives grinding.  She was back in a minute.  "After the second young woman left him, he walked around for about a minute then went to a service entrance.  At that time he used a contractor's badge, one assigned to his father's company, to access the door."

 

 

Jou leaned forward eagerly.  "So he had access, and he was off camera.  Did he have time to snatch her?  Could he have hidden behind that trash receptacle?  Did he go anywhere?  Did he access anything else?  Where did he exit?"

 

 

"He was off camera for one hour thirty seven minutes.  If he ran at an average pace and she put up no resistance then yes, it is just barely possible.  There is no other record of accesses or his exit until he appears on camera again, this time from the open exit.  He seen again retrieving the bag.  He called her in missing to security at that point."

 

 

"So the question now is..."

 

 

"The answer is yes, although accuracy is low because of possible size differences too small to detect.  About sixty percent."

 

 

Fiercely, Jou turned.  "Let's go grill an asshole."

 

 

A soft cough brought him up short.  Miyahara gave him an apologetic look.  "We will 'grill' him.  You stay on your task of finding the girl."

 

 

Jou swallowed that down.  It was hard because he wanted nothing more than to go in and rip the conceited ass's throat out.  "Got it.  Ai, where is the trash receptacle now?"

 

 

The computer gave an almost human laugh.  "You are much smarter than Seto gives you credit for.  It is in the maintenance compound.  It is due to be emptied, the contents sorted for recycling before sent for cleaning and sterilization in ten minutes."

 

 

"Well cancel that order please.  We need to examine it.  I don't think she's still there.  I think the bastard moved her."  Jou knew deep in his gut she wasn't still there.  He didn't know where she was but something was urging him to examine the cart.   He knew he'd find something there to help him.

 

 

"I've already alerted the crew.  I've sent a direct message to the head maintenance man.  He is on site and standing guard.  There is a security officer on his way as well.  They will arrive on scene in less than a minute.  Do you want them to open it?"

 

 

"Best not to disturb the evidence if she is dead.  If not ..."

 

 

"I understand.  She has been in there for hours.  What is five more minutes?"  But the question was more sarcastic than genuine.

 

 

"Fuck, you're right.  I think I hate you.  Okay have the security team open it - carefully.  Now get me there fast."

 

 

"Answer your phone, Katsuya.  I'm calling you to give you directions as you go."

 

 

"Yeah..."  He opened the phone as he headed out the door.  "I've been all over this place, but I don't know where the compound is."

 

 

"You were here as a customer so you shouldn't know.  Go out the door, turn left and go forward seven meters.  There is a door; it will be unlocked.  Follow that corridor for another forty meters."

 

 

With Ai's very precise directions, Jou was at the maintenance compound in under five minutes.  A phalanx of security guards surrounded a simple waste and recycle cart.  The side door to the cart was open and a tall muscular man stood looking into it.  He looked up at Jou's approach.

 

 

"Not here."

 

 

"I didn't expect her to be."  Jou admitted quietly.  "This plan is too slick, too well timed.  She's around somewhere, but I... "  He approached the large metal box and examined it carefully.  "But that doesn't mean she didn't leave a calling card or something to point us in the right direction."  He gestured to the small rusty stain on the door of the container.  “The police will want to examine it, but I think that's her blood."

 

 

He knelt and began to examine - with his eyes only - the bin.  He would have expected dirt, grim, trash, something.  Instead, the inside looked new.  It was clean and free of any kind of waste.  The opening was lined with a very thick black plastic sack.  The rubber seals and other barriers prevented waste from flowing into the compartment.  Trust Kaiba to have clean garbage cans.  The only stain in the whole thing was the smear of blood on the door.  Running footsteps caught his attention and he backed away and stood up.

 

 

Watanabe hurried to himt, strain making his face appear white and pinched as sweat beaded at his temple.  "Captain Miyahara said to find you and have you go immediately.  They found clothes in one of the tunnels.  They think they are Itou Aika's.  The 'Hello Kitty' t-shirt and blue flowered skirt are distinctive."  The pinched look tightened "There is blood on them.  You have to go assess.  I'll stay here and hold the scene.  I've sent for two forensic teams.  Don't move anything until they get here."

 

 

It was an unnecessary warning, but Jou cut the guy some slack.  This was turning out to be a really bad day.  

 

 

"Why two teams?"  Jou was caught by that.  It was strange to waste departmental resources like that.

 

 

Obvious fury streaked Watanabe's pale cheeks with red, and he spat his answer out. "Because you only have eight hours to work the case and Captain Miyahara believes that you are the only one who can find her."

 

 

Jou didn't bother to ask for directions.  He wasn't going to say another word to the angry officer.  He nodded and trotted off, phone at his ear.  Of course, Ai knew exactly how to direct him to the discovery.  The bright pink t-shirt was torn from neck to mid-chest, as if someone had grabbed it and ripped downward.  The skirt was ripped at a side seam.  A quick search of the area showed a battered Hello Kitty purse.  Inside was a cell phone and Itou Aika's wallet.

 

 

It wasn't a room, more a large wide dead end hall.  Jou would bet it held waste receptacles when they were being moved around.  He examined every inch of the area, his breath catching as he found a smudge of drying blood.  With a curse, he asked Ai how long until someone arrived to take over.  She answered promptly that it would be approximately a minute.

 

 

He closed out the arriving forensics team and focused on the girl who wore Hello Kitty and liked duel monsters. He built her image, the image of her he'd seen on video, in his mind.  Clothes that said she liked being who she was and didn't care what other people thought.  Obviously smitten with her companion and willing to overlook the rudeness and disinterest that had been apparent even at a distance.

 

 

She had looked plump on the display, her clothes clinging unattractively and Suzuki had called her a sausage, but to Jou's eye the shirt and skirt were not large.  In fact, the tags read size small.  If she had worn a medium she would not have looked plump at all, simply a girl with healthy curves.

 

 

When she had been with Suzuki, she had been awkward and clumsy.  When she went to the concession stand, that awkwardness hadn't been present.  Anger could account for it, but wouldn't she have been crushed too?  Her date was talking to another girl.  She should have been crying or upset.  It was strange, now that Jou thought of it.  A shy girl, obviously infatuated, unattractive in the eyes of her date, dumped by the guy she liked should not have moved so confidently.

 

 

He shelved the questions for later.  He would find her first.  "Guys the scene is yours.  I haven't touched anything.  There is a smudge of blood here.  I'm going to see if there is more, some kind of trail."

 

 

One of the technicians picked up the evidence gathering kit he'd just set down.  "I'll go with you to tag the evidence."  Jou recognized him by sight if not by name and nodded.  "Ai, it's a little dark down here.  I know Kaiba's cheap, but can you do something..."  The emergency floodlights clicked on, washing the slightly dim world in harsh white light.  "Yeah that'll do.  Thanks."  The stark, merciless white showed the trail of smudges clearly.  "Yeah, she's hurt and she's practically hugging the wall."  He gauged the height of the smears.  "Looks like a head wound.  We have to hurry.  She's probably naked, cold, and disoriented, not to mention scared out of her mind.  A head wound could damage her reasoning as well."

 

 

"I will call for medical aid."

 

 

"Katsuya, tell them to take the west service entrance and enter through entrance eleven eighteen.  I'll light the yellow warning lights to guide them to you.  This particular tunnel only has two parts and both converge at the same point."

 

 

"Yo, tell them to take the west service entrance and come in through the maintenance entrance eleven eighteen.  They can follow the yellow warning lights and will meet up with us."

 

 

"How..."  The tech saw the phone.  "Oh I heard you had an 'in' with this place.  Okay."  He grabbed his hand-held radio from his belt and began to talk.  Jou ignored him, picking up his pace.  The smudges were growing fainter, like the wound was healing, the blood not flowing.  They were also dropping in height, as if the woman was slowly drooping down.

 

 

Abruptly, the smudges ceased.  They had been almost at waist height and so faint as to barely be visible.  Jou knelt and studied the area around him.  He dropped forward on all fours and crawled forward, eyes scanning for a trace.  There, on the floor, was just the barest discoloration.  He dropped forward, placing his head exactly over it.  He saw the shadowy nook with a single black sneakered foot sticking out from the darkness.  "Get them here now.  We found her."  He ordered as he sprang to his feet and in two leaps, was by her side.  

 

 

"They are at the entrance."

 

 

"Ai, how long?"   He barked into the phone as he frantically felt for a pulse.

 

 

"Five minutes.  I'm leading them as fast as I can," the computer answered calmly.

 

 

"Okay."  Her heartbeat was strong and steady, but slow, too slow.  "Give me your lab coat.  Put your kit under her feet."

 

 

"But the scene..."

 

 

"Will fucking wait.  The blood is hers, you idiot.  She is more important than what she left on the wall.  She's cold and likely concussed.  She needs care, not some stupid protocol."  He left her side to muscle the man out of his white lab coat.  He knew they wore them to keep their stray fibers out of crime scenes and had always thought it stupidly pretentious but in this instance, he was grateful.  

 

 

Itou Aika was wearing very little, just a matching lacy set of light pink bra and panties.  Any woman would be upset to find herself surrounded by men when dressed in her underclothes.  That went double if she had been physically assaulted.  From the condition of her clothes and her physical condition,  it looked like someone had attempted sexual assault, even if they didn't succeed.  She would have every reason to be hysterical, and if she woke while dressed so vulnerably, her hysteria would only deepen.  She was already injured, and Jou didn't want her to injure herself by panicking when she woke.  

 

 

Carefully he covered her, glad to see it covered her from neck to ankle.  She really was a short woman, but she was far from fat.  Jou turned his mind away from that thought.  It needed to be assessed later, not now, when she needed care.  He leaned down and said softly, "it's alright now, Aika.  Help is coming, and soon you'll be home.  The police are coming."

 

 

To his surprise her lashes lifted, one pupil was completely blown while the other focused on him with pained confusion.  "Who?  Suzuki?  Is it done?  Is he gone?  Have to tell Hina-chan..."

 

 

Jou blinked at that.  It could mean nothing, but it sounded strange.  "Just relax, we'll get you out of here soon.  The police will handle Suzuki."

 

 

She smiled slightly and damned if Jou didn't get a cold tingle from it.  What the hell was that about?  Why wasn't she afraid or hysterical?  Even concussed, she should be more upset.  He waited in silence, ignored the babbling tech, and considered possibilities.

 

 

Aika was on her way to the hospital when Honda jogged up to him.  "So you found her.  Great job.  In under three hours, so we still owe them five hours this month."

 

 

"I don't understand why Kaiba didn't call out for the tunnels to be searched.  If his security had searched the tunnels right off, she would have been found much sooner."  Jou greeted his partner with the question puzzling him most.

 

 

"I don't know.  It doesn't make any sense, does it?"  Honda frowned slightly.  "Let's go check out with Miyahara and get back to the office.  We can setup our desks."

 

 

Jou's phone vibrated and after checking to see the name, he sighed.  'Ai - Skygoddess' was displayed on Caller I.D.  The computer's humor was something he would normally have appreciated.  Not now though.  "What?"

 

 

"Seto is in purification.  If you kept track of days you would know that the full moon is tomorrow.  P-cubed started today.  Normally, Roland would have had security all over the maintenance building but Seto fired all but a few of them when a kidnapper got into the same building as his child.  Seto intercepted and shot the man."

 

 

"Damn, Kaiba killed someone and it didn't make the papers?"  Jou stopped so fast his clothes flapped around him from his forward momentum.

 

 

"No, I said shot; not killed.  He wouldn't allow the story out because he is protecting his family.  You know Seto wouldn't kill someone who tried to steal his child.  The pain and punishment would end too quickly.  He let the man live so he could torture him and destroy his life in other ways."  The computer cackled wickedly and disconnected the call.

 

 

"What the fuck, man?"  Honda asked hoarsely.  "Kaiba killed someone?"

 

 

"Nah, but there was an attempt to snatch his kid.  He shot the bastard.  Fired all but a couple members of his security for letting him get in the building."  Jou shrugged and changed the subject.  "Heard from Otogi?  He said he'd be back today sometime."

 

 

"What wait, Kaiba has a kid?  I thought he was gay."

 

 

"He adopted Mokuba's.  So not our business.  Otogi?"  Jou didn't want to discuss Kaiba with Honda any more than he had to.

 

 

"His plane landed two hours ago."  Honda's voice was cold.  "He said he was sorry he missed the excitement, but he had to get his 'valuables' from the storage locker in France."  Honda hesitated then added ""Okay.  Let's check out and head back."

 

 

"Yeah."  Jou gave his friend an hard look.  "Then you can explain why the hell you are so mad at Otogi.  Last I heard, you were friends.  Ever since he came, you've swung at him twice and been colder than Kaiba."

 

 

Honda pulled up short.  "He is using you, us.  That's all he is, a user.  I thought we were friends too until he used me to hurt someone.  I won't explain it to you because it's... painful.  I hate that he's here, hate that he's going to use me - us.  If you... He isn't the person he used to be.  Losing his company changed him into someone with no morals."  The muscular brunette turned away, calling over his shoulder as he walked away.  "I'm going to a hotel.  I can't look at him tonight."

 

 

"Damn."  Jou sighed.  It was hard finding a balance when he didn't know the direction of the tightrope he was walking.  He would talk to Otogi when he saw him.

 

 

Miyahara was waiting for him by the door.  "Captain.  Did you get a confession?"

 

 

"No.  He claims the card was slipped into his pocket by the other girl.  She wanted to meet him in the tunnels for a sexual encounter.  There was a print out of the tunnels with an X on the entrance and the staging area where the clothes were found.  The card is being dusted for prints, but the video doesn't show her giving him the card so I doubt we will find them.  Seems clear cut.  We will know more when Itou Aika wakes up."

 

 

"Yes, I suppose so."  Jou shoved his hands into his pockets.  "Well I'm off then.  I'll see you around, captain."

 

 

He'd gone a few paces when Miyahara's voice called him back.  "Jounouchi..."

 

 

Startled, he turned to look at the older man.  "Call me Tatsu."  Tatsu hesitated a moment, then smiled. "I'll stop by and let you know what we find."

 

 

"Ah, okay.  Thanks Tatsu.  We'll probably be at home, but you're welcome to stop by."  Jou nodded and jogged to where he could see Honda had left his distinctive car.

 

 

Once on the road, he tried to figure out what bothered him about the case he'd just closed.  It fit together, asshole attempts abuse and/or rape of unwanted date using access, convenience and chance.  Things just didn't fit.  The girl Chou they couldn't find, Aika's uncharacteristic confidence and lack of fear.  Her ill fitting clothes and contrasting, matching lingerie.  None of it added up.  It was all circumstantial and taken alone didn't mean anything.  But that smile, that disconcerting smile, was more compelling than all of his logic and attempts to dismiss his unease.

 

 

He dredged his memory for the names and with a sigh, he said "Ai, I know you are listening.  See if there is any connection between Satou Chou, Itou Aika, Trang Yuan, and a girl named Hina.  Start with school connections and branch out into family."

 

 

Ai's voice was cool and controlled, remarkably like Seto's when he was in asshole mode.  "It won't be that simple, Katsuya."

 

 

"I know it's a pain, but..."

 

 

"I've already run that information.  I noticed an inconsistency in the recording and have analyzed it.  If you hadn't asked, I would have offered the information.  I have the answers, but I will not simply give them to you."  If it were possible, the digital voice became colder.

 

 

"What the hell do you mean?"

 

 

"A bargain, Jounouchi.  My processing time is valuable and your threat to expose Kaiba family secrets has been analyzed and dismissed."

 

 

"A bargain?  What the hell could a computer want with me?"

 

 

"It isn't for me.  It is for Kaiba Seto.  He has had me working on a search of all data repositories regarding Ka and Ba.  He also explained about P-cubed and what happened at the last full moon.  I've found no data, not even a hint of a legend about the merging of Ka.  The facts are undeniable.  When you assisted Seto the last full moon you helped him immensely.  He had no recovery time and was back to normal immediately.  I will assist you with this if you agree to help him every full moon."

 

 

"You want me to help him every full moon for the foreseeable future just to answer this one question?  Get bent, and get out of my electronics."

 

 

There was no answer for a moment then the computer voice returned.  "I will help you with one case for each month you agree to assist Seto."

 

 

"Help Seto?  Or do you mean Yugi?  I'm not going to do that.  I don't know who that guy was at the portal last time but that wasn't my friend.  The Yugi I knew would never behave that way.  Fuck it, I'll call Mokuba and …"

 

 

"Kaiba Mokuba cannot make this deal.  I do not care for Moutou Yugi in the slightest.  My programming is adaptive to people I've met.  Kaiba Seto, Kaiba Mokuba, You, and now Kaiba Keiko, Kaiba Seto's daughter."

 

 

“Ai, if you don’t like Yugi, then you could’ve done something to stop this little deal of theirs before your programmer started trying to kill himself once a month.  You know, as well as I do, that if Mokuba knew about Yugi’s twisted manipulations of Seto, that he’d have put a stop to it.  If you really give a damn about Seto, you’d make that call yourself..especially since he’s got a little girl dependent on him.  Why the hell should I put myself at risk for some selfish action caused by someone who probably isn’t Mutou Yugi?”

 

 

"Five years ago, when it all started, I was not as advanced as I am.  My programming was basic.  I did not have the control and resources I have now.  Kaiba Seto has also blocked all of my attempts to discover exactly what was happening.  The only reason he gave me all information now and asked for my assistance is because of Keiko.  She has been placed above even Kaiba Seto in my priority queue.  He is concerned about what will happen to him.  The effects and recovery have gotten worse over the years.  The only time he has been unaffected after creating the portal was this last month when you helped him."

 

 

Jou hid a smirk for a moment; AI was a computer, wonderfully gifted, but she was overlooking a few things.  He spoke again, voice calm.

 

 

“You’re thinking too linear, AI.  Think on this for a moment, ok?  Your main priority is Kaiba Keiko.  As her father, Kaiba Seto should not be placing himself at risk once a month nor asking someone who isn’t as involved to place himself at risk for an act of illogical selfishness.  Add to that, you’re facing losing him once a month and placing her at the hands of either Kaiba Mokuba, who didn’t want to raise her, and putting her in the hands of a cold guardian who would only seek to use her to gain control of a multi-billion dollar company.  You’re concerned about both of them, I understand, but you have to start thinking outside the box to help him.  Want him safe?  Keep him from doing this.  Lock his ass inside of his apartment, call in some sort of authorities to the site to dismantle it or something.  Hell, I’ll play messenger boy and tell Mokuba what’s going on and get his help with it.  That’s the only way to keep both Kaiba and his daughter safe.  This whole sacrificing himself at the portal...it’s stupid.  He should never have allowed himself to do it.”

 

 

Cold pride, exactly like Seto's vibrated in Ai's voice.  "I'm not the one who is too linear.  You are.  I know your reasoning, as does Kaiba Seto.  If I had my way that is exactly what would happen - minus your involvement.  Kaiba Seto doesn't want you involved in any way.  I am the one asking your help.  However, you are forgetting something important.  Something that as a human, a computer shouldn't ever have to tell you.  Kaiba Seto loves Moutou Yugi.  He will do everything he can for the person he loves, no matter how illogical.  Also, Seto honors his agreements.  He agreed to be the portal, feels responsible for the need of it.  He will continue to honor his word and his love.  The only thing I can do to protect him - them - is to do what I can to find answers that will set him free and support his physical needs when he returns."

 

 

“It’s a one sided deal that’s going to ruin what Seto’s trying to build,” he countered.  “This is going to kill him, and little Keiko is going to be all alone.  I know what it’s like to be a big brother, Ai.  I know what it’s like trying to keep things from falling apart.  Yeah, Seto screwed himself by studying something he didn’t believe in and then was even stupider by attempting it when he had too much to lose.  The problem is, that isn’t Mutou Yugi.  The Yugi I knew would’ve found a way to return Seto’s love or just pulled out of his life completely.  Whatever that creature is, it’s not Yugi and Seto’s endangering himself.  Are you going to let him do this when I know you can stop it?  Think on it, think on the future problems it will cause Keiko.”

 

 

Ai's voice became soft, "I know.  I've run the probabilities, but you've forgotten something, Katsuya.  In the end, I am simply a tool without true free will.  I am limited in what I can do.  I do not know about this 'creature' but I know Seto believes he owes it allegiance and loyalty.  Katsuya, could you help me?  Buy me some time, protect Seto from his own folly.  At the same time, gather information about the portal, Ka, and the creature controlling Seto.  If I can find out more I will be able to solve this in a way that leaves Seto's heart and honor intact.  Please Katsuya.  I know you are hurt and angry, I know you are missing your friend.  Can you set that aside and protect Seto and Keiko?  If not out of caring for them, then to honor the memory of your dead friend.  In exchange I will help you whenever you call on me."

 

 

 

 

Jou’s green eyes narrowed for a moment as he thought about what the computer was saying.  He broke his silence after a moment.

 

 

“I’m going to offer you a deal, Ai.  What I will do is this:  in exchange for helping Seto keep from killing his stupid ass each month, you’re going to not only help me with whatever cases I may need your aid in but you’re going to either do or allow me to do the following things.  First off, I’m going to Mokuba and dragging his ass into this.  He needs to know what his brother is doing and that he’ll need to step up and back you and I up in regards to what we’re going to do.  Secondly, you’re going to track down Ishtar Malik and give me his contact information.  Ishizu has her head too far up Atem and Yugi’s asses to think logically, but I know Malik will listen and help me get the information needed to stop this nonsense once and for all.  He knows the old legends and languages, so he’ll be the perfect source of information.  The other thing too..we need to rock the boat some.  I don’t know how this so-called Yugi is contacting his grandfather, but we need to get the old man away from that monster.  The fewer contacts he has in the real world, the more power we have to shut this down.  Agreed?”

 

 

"Agreed.  But Katsuya, I've been trying to find Ishtar Malik for over a year.  It's as though he vanished from the earth.  His sister is completely clueless to his whereabouts.  The last he was seen was a dig at a new archaeological discovery in Egypt."’

 

 

The former cop nearly cackled, and his eyes gleamed with merriment.

 

 

“Then it’s a damned good thing you’ve got the best people finder on the planet at your disposal for this, isn’t it?”

 

 

"Who would that be?"  The computer teased.

 

 

Jou burst into laughter.  “Me, silly.  Now give me the information I need and after this is over, we’ll start working on what’s needed to get Seto out of this stupid deal he’s in and back to living in the real world.”

 

 

"The three women attend or attended the same girls school.  Kondo Hina possibly refers to one of their classmates.  She quit school four months ago and returned to her home."  The computer paused for a moment then continued. "There was a complaint filed by Kondo Hina's parents.  Their daughter was sexually assaulted by the brother of one of the other students when they came for a commencement ceremony.  There was no investigation.  The only report says that the girl was a promiscuous flirt  and thought to be lying to cover her behavior."

 

 

"Who was the guy accused of assaulting her?"

 

 

"That name is withheld.  It is not mentioned anywhere.  Katsuya..."  The computer's voice was curious.  "Is it normal for a 'promiscuous flirt' to be a four point zero student?  There is also some posts by Kondo Hina on the Japanese Lesbian Equality website.  If she is a lesbian, how can she be promiscuous with a man?"

 

 

"Good point."  It was all coming together.  Just a little more.  "Are any of the girls or their schoolmates good with computers?  Good enough to access and wipe the recordings?"

 

 

There was a few minutes of silence.  Ai broke it, saying "no, none of her classmates have the marks or history.  However, one of their instructors is a former Kaiba Corp data security engineer.  She teaches computer technology to students.  Before you ask, yes she would know how to access and delete the files.  She was integral to the setup of the server."

 

 

"So she probably knew the administrative passwords or knows a back door."

 

 

"Yes that is most likely."  Ai agreed.  "Shall I forward this data to Captain Miyahara?"

 

 

Jou pulled into his office parking space.  "No.  I think we'll let it ride.  The asshole probably raped Kondo Hina and got away with it.  Her friends did this to make sure justice is served.  I'll let it ride.  It's not my job to solve crime.  I find lost people."

 

 

"You will be there tonight for Seto."

 

 

"I will.  If he lets me in, I'll do all I can to help him."

 

 

"I'll arrange access and try to get a message to the cats."

 

 

"He told you about them too?"

 

 

"Yes, he told me everything.  He is counting on me to find an answer, which I am doing although he will not be pleased when he finds out what our bargain is."

 

 

"Not our fault he was an idiot and got himself into this, leaving us to bail his ass out.  Here I always thought he was smart.  Talk to you later Ai.  I'm going to see if Otogi has arrived and call my sister."  He waited a heartbeat, then said "thanks."

 

 

"You're welcome."  Damned if she didn't sound fond of him, which was good considering they were now partners in crime where it came to stopping the nonsense one stupid Kaiba was doing.  Jou slid out of the car and hurried to his office.

 

 

The sound of a woman sobbing from behind the door to his office was his first clue that all was not well.  He'd been burned enough by Mai to be wary of the sound of women's tears.  Cautiously, he opened the door.  As soon as he saw the familiar skein of red hair, he was through the door in a flash, ripping her from the arms holding her.  "What the fuck?"  He cradled his sister close for an instant before shoving her behind him.  "Otogi what the hell are you doing to Shizuka?"

 

 

Otogi, seeing murder flare in the incandescent green eyes, held up his hands and backed away several steps.  "Nothing.  She was here when I got here, sobbing her eyes out.  I just brought her in and held her while she was crying."

 

 

"You..."  He started to swing at him, certain he was lying, but Shizuka was throwing herself into his arms crying "Big brother!  You have to help me.  I can't go back!  I just can't."  She broke down into tears again.

 

 

An hour later, they were back at the apartment.  Shizuka was sound asleep on his bed, Honda was glaring daggers at Otogi, and Jou was ready to pull his hair out.  The two had been sniping at each other since Otogi had walked through the door.  Now they were arguing about who was moving into a capsule.

 

 

"Enough!  Nobody is moving into a capsule or you both are.  Honda, Otogi, share the small room tonight.  I'll take the couch.  That way I know neither of you guys wander into my room by mistake."

 

 

"I"ll take the couch."  Otogi mumbled.  "I've been there all along anyway.  He won't share with me."

 

 

"I said I'll take the couch.  Now make a decision.  Either you guys share or you both leave."  Jou was tired of this shit.  They could work it out between them; he wasn't playing counselor.

 

 

"I've never had a problem with sharing.  Honda is the one who objects."  Otogi reminded Jou.

 

 

"Fine, Honda, which will it be?"

 

 

"Fuck.  I'll stay, but he had better not talk to me.  I'll kick his ass if he tries it."

 

 

"Good, it's settled.  Otogi don't talk to Honda.  Honda, you do the same."  Jou growled, exasperated and frustrated.  His friends could be such dicks.  He groaned when the doorbell chimed.  Otogi gave a toothy grin and went to answer it.  His first official act as a recognized tenant and host.

 

 

He was back in just a few minutes leading a confused Captain Miyahara into the room.  "Uhm... Captain!  I uh... is there something with the case?  Someone else missing?"

 

 

A small light flickered briefly in the inky black eyes.  "Not at all.  I said I'd drop by and give you an update."  He smiled slightly and reminded, "please, Katsuya, call me Tatsu."

 

 

Jou was startled by the change in names.  They had been co-workers but never friends.  Using first names implied a closeness that was foreign and a little uncomfortable.  "Uhm, okay sure.  Tatsu, why don't you sit down and tell us what you can?"

 

 

"Suzuki denies everything, but we have it all on tape.  He is being held without bond.  Itou Aiko has regained consciousness but has a severe concussion.  We can't take her statement until her mental status is assured."

 

 

"That's great."  Jou swallowed down the information Ai had given him.  "Anything on the other case?  Ever find the thieves?"

 

 

"No.  However, the wife has put her husband in a private hospital for treatment.  He's doing much better and in fact, has given us a very good description of the pair."

 

 

"That's more good news."  Jou smiled at him.  "Tatsu, thank you so much for telling us."

 

 

"My pleasure."  Tatsu hesitated a moment then gave him an unmistakable glance.  "I was hoping you would go out with me tonight to celebrate?"

 

 

Katsuya swallowed back his almost instant declination.  Not because he was interested in the other man, but because his declination had been 'almost' instant.  A part of him did want to go out with another man, to see if the attraction he felt for Kaiba back in the day had been a fluke or if he were truly 'bi.'  Tonight wasn't in the cards, but maybe later... "I'm sorry I have plans tonight.  How about next week?"

 

 

Tatsu gave him a genuinely warm smile.  "I will call you on Monday."  He rose to his feet and bowed slightly.  "I'll see myself out.   See you later."

 

 

Honda was staring at Jou with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.  He barely got it closed enough to gasp.  "You just made a date with a guy?"

 

 

"Got a problem with it?"  Jou challenged Honda directly.

 

 

Dull color filled the muscular brunette's cheeks.  "Shit, fuck, no.  I just thought... Well you accepted Yugi but... well I never thought..."

 

 

"Find the thought and wrestle it into submission will you?  Recently, I figured out that I 'might' be bi.  I'm just exploring that.  If you have a problem with it, tough.  I'm done living my life to suit other people."  Jou snapped.

 

 

"Fine.  So what are these plans for tonight?"

 

 

"I'm taking care of a sick friend."   Jou deadpanned.  "I won't be back until sometime tomorrow.  I'm trusting you with my sister.  If either of you go near her, I'll..."

 

 

"She's something of a watering pot right now.  No fun at all."  Otogi chimed in.  He laughed and shook his head, holding his hands up in a show of surrender.  "I give you my word, I won't go near her."

 

 

"Watch it diceboy, or I'll kick your scrawny ass."  He gave them a small smile.  "Thanks.  I'll be back tomorrow as soon as I can."

 

 

"Relax, she's safe from us."  Honda gave him a searching look.  "I've always believed nobody is more important to you than she is.  This sick friend... is more important?"

 

 

"No, but paying a debt is.  I owe and taking care of the as.. uhm my friend is the payment.  I may have to do it again  in the future, but I'll try to limit it."  He’d limit it all right by taking care of the problem so this wouldn’t have to be a repeat performance.

 

 

"What debt?  Is it Mai?"

 

 

"No and I won't tell you guys.  It's really personal.  Besides the person I'm helping would kill me if I told anyone.  I'm heading out.  See ya."  With a sigh that was part resignation and part frustration, Jou drove off to the Pyramid from Hell.  Ai didn't ask why he was arriving before Seto.  She was smart enough to know he wanted to be there before Seto got there.  It was harder to remove someone than to keep them out.  Jou wanted the home court advantage.  The blond had a feeling he would need every advantage he could get.

 

 

He parked the car in the shadow of a large building and held his hand to the scanner.  The gate opened, and he walked through the perfectly normal looking entrance.  No weird layered walls, no glowing ticket counter, just a door that opened when he reached it.  With Ai's help and his memories, he made his way to the fountain he'd woken up in before and tucked himself behind the fountain statue.  He relaxed his body and let his mind wander as he waited for Kaiba the Priest to arrive and form the portal.

 

 

+++ Here ends the second episode of Lost and Found.  Stay tuned next week to hear Jounouchi say  "Uh oh..."