The Prince and His Pauper

Title: The Prince and His Pauper
Author: Kleptomaniac Can Opener
Rating: NC-17
Pairing(s): Seto x Jounouchi/Jounouchi x Seto, various side pairings
Disclaimer: Trust me, I don't own Yugi-Oh.

Summary: As the head of Katsuya Corp., Jounouchi isn't used to being ignored. Especially by some ordinary classmate with a stick up his rear-end.

~*~*~*~

The Prince and His Pauper
Part 4

~*~*~*~

Golden-brown eyes stare blankly at the textbook in front of him, tapping the page with the eraser of his pencil. Jounouchi’s mind has been stuck on a certain brunet for days. When he bought Seto last Sunday they did more than have amazing wild-monkeys-doing-the-hula sex (several times at that), they had actually talked, over tea even. He had found out something he would never have believed just a couple weeks ago. Seto is a likeable guy.
He’s a very unlucky on too. Seto didn’t release too many details about his private life, but Jounouchi can fill in a few of the blanks. In essence, it all adds up to Seto raising Mokuba alone, paying for any and all expenses that come up (School, medical, clothing, rent...) without anybody finding out. Seto could claim emaciation, but Mokuba (he had finally wheedled the name out of him) would be sent to the orphanage. And if there is only one thing about the brunet that is clear, it’s that he loves his brother over everything else.

“Jou...Jou!”
“Huh?” Jounouchi blinks in wonderment as he yanked back to the present. Honda slams his book closed, obviously frustrated at his friend.
“Jou, we’re not going to get any studying done if you don’t pay attention,” Miho says with a sigh.
“I’m sorry, guys.” Jounouchi runs a hand through his bangs, noting that they’re getting too long. “I’m just preoccupied.”
“Is everything all right?” asks Yugi.
“Yeah, it is.” Honda bashes his fist on the table, making everyone jump out of their skins.
“Stop bullshitting us! You’ve been mopin’ for a week!”
“I am not moping!”
“Fuck yes you are!”

“Guys! Let’s not fight over this!” Yugi attempts to cool the other two down, his small arms waving between them.
“Not to mention you must be totally disturbing Muto-san downstairs,” quips Miho. “Look, just tell us already. We can help, and if not, you might at least feel better.” Jounouchi finally concedes.
“I guess you’re right...” He sighs and closes his pencil-abused textbook. He cringes a little from the expectant faces of his friends. He puts on his best diplomatic face, and jumbles it all together anyways. “I’vebeensleepingwithKaibaalotanditsreallygoodandIthinkImayactuallylikehimwhichisstupidandnowI—”

“WHAT?!”

Under different circumstances, Jounouchi would find their expressions funny. Yugi is blushing red as a crimson rose, Miho’s jaw has dropped to the ground floor in utter disbelief, and Honda looks to be in a state of supreme shock. Like Apple and Windows just did a merger shock. Yugi is the first to come around.

“How did this happen?”
“Um...remember when I was supposed to meet you guys at the arcade? I kinda took the shortcut through the red-light district and uh...bought him.”
“Oh my God! He’s a prostitute?” exclaims Miho.
“You’re shittin’ us.”
“I’m not shittin’, Honda.”
“You have to be shitting us. YOU don’t have to buy people to get laid.”

Miho nudges Jounouchi in the side. “So how was it?” she asks with a wink. In spite of what Honda believes, no girl at school would say no to the glacial brunet if he asked. How the blue-eyed teen is in bed is a huge topic for debate.
“Aw, geez, Ribbon,” shouts Honda. “Why would you wanna know something like THAT?”
“Because Jou-kun’s hot and Kaiba-san’s hot. I want to know if the sex was hot too.”
“It was fucking fantastic,” the blond admits without hesitation.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you,” mutters Honda. He’s pissed off that his best friend is apparently spending money to have sex with someone they’re both supposed to hate. He should have taken the warning sign from a while back more seriously, when Jounouchi was talking what a body the brunet had.

“Could we not talk about that part?” Yugi asks from underneath his arms. The boy’s ears look sun-burnt from how red they are. The other three sweatdrop at their friend’s sensitivity. “Jou-kun,” He says as he sits back up, face still red but now under control, “if you’re starting to like him maybe you should talk? You don’t want to get in too deep.”
“Yeah, the guy’s a slut,” adds Honda.
“He doesn’t do it because he wants to!” Jounouchi snaps with more venom than he meant to use. His outburst strikes his friends silent. The blond sighs and rests his elbows on the table, then cups his face in his hands. “His brother has some kind of disease that’s making him go blind. He’s trying to pay for the operation. He needs it soon or it’ll be too late.”

“Oh wow,” is all Miho can say.
“That’s awful,” follows up Yugi. Jounouchi nods.
“His brother is only two years younger than Shizuka. I tried offering the money, but he said he won’t take charity.”

There’s an awkward silence until Honda speaks. “Um, speaking of your sister, I just remembered that she told me to tell you something.”
“You better not have been flirting with Shizuka,” the blond growls. “I KNOW you. You’re not allowed to date her!” Honda grins.
“Her and your mother would disagree.”
“Oh, you bastard!”

Yugi’s little hands cover Jounouchi’s big mouth. The small boy gives him an apologetic look. Miho giggles. “You were saying, Honda?” she asks.
“Some of the big wigs have been gambling at your downtown arena. You probably wanna go stop them.” Yugi releases his friend’s mouth.
“Damn straight I’m gonna stop them! If they wanna gamble they can build their own damn arena! C’mon! Let’s go!”
“But the test is tomorrow,” protests Yugi.
“We’re just taking a little break, Yug,” says Jounouchi, ruffling his friend’s spikes.
“Yeah, we’ll study better if we’re relaxed,” adds Honda.
“Besides,” Miho says with a twinkle in her eye, “this sounds like fun.”
“Well, I guess...”
“Awright! That’s the spirit, Yug,” exclaims the taller teen, throwing the petite boy over his shoulder. “Let’s go!”
“Jou! Put me down!” The others laugh good-heartedly. There really isn’t anything they can do about Jounouchi’s problem. It’s something that the blond will have to handle himself. For now, all they can do is support him and be there if he gets hurt.


Shizu World, named in honor of Jounouchi’s sister, is the largest gaming center in Japan. At the front steps greet two Duel Monsters, Joan of Arc and Red Eyes Black Dragon. Pass the large double doors are several more statues of other Duel Monsters lining the walls of the first level, all the way up to the fourth level where the dueling tables are.
The extra large elevator drops them off on the highest floor.

More people than usual fill the bustling room even though only one table is currently being used. The stadium-size flat screen on the wall shows what’s going on for those who can’t see over the crowd. Mixed with the audience are some familiar and not entirely welcomed faces. Jounouchi marches up to the closest one.

“What are you doing here, Otogi?”
“Scoping out the competition,” Otogi Ryuji answers with much sarcasm, playing with the D6 earing he wears. Ryuji is a dark-haired, emerald-eyed boy in the same business as Jounouchi and is a direct competitor against Katsuya Corporation even though Dark Crown, Ryuji’s company, specializes in more tabletop and dice games rather than video and arcade. It was actually an original game that Ryuji invented that made his company as large as it is today, a fact he won’t let Jounouchi (who inherited his company) forget. Jounouchi glares at him, but Ryuji only rolls his eyes in response. “Same reason as everyone else, Einstein. I heard there was a hot new Duelist kicking everybody’s ass. I haven’t been disappointed.”

“Oh, wow!” Yugi points to the screen. “That’s a Blue Eyes on the field!”
“And there’s another in the graveyard,” fills in the dice master.
“He has TWO?” shouts the group of friends.
“Sure does. Even I want to get a piece of the action.”

Honda attempts to get a look at the Duelists, but there are too many people in the way. “Damn, I can’t see them.”
“Hey! The Blue Eyes Duelist is making his move,” says Yugi.

“Go head, pretty boy! Draw! No matter what you do, I’m taking you out! I found your weakness!”
“Did you now?” says a smooth baritone. Jounouchi and his friends gasp. They know that voice!
It’s Seto!

“First I switch my monsters from defense and put them into attack mode, then I play Monster Reborn! Say hello to an old friend, Blue Eyes White Dragon!”
“So what? It’s not going to help you!”
“But that’s not all.” Seto’s grin sends a chill down his opponent’s spine. “I sacrifice Witty Phantom and Jin, Genie of the Lamp to summon my third Blue Eyes!”
“A third? There’re only four in the first place!”
“That’s right,” he confirms with a wicked smirk, “and I command three.”
“I still have the advantage, pretty boy! My monster has 3500 attack points!”
“That won’t matter for long. I activate Polymerization to form my Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon!”

An animated rendering of the powerful monster flashes across the screen for everyone to see.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you only have 700 life points remaining. Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack!”
“Shit!” Brilliant bolts of lightning flash on the screen above. The opponent’s monster screams as it’s blasted into pieces.
“Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon destroys your monster and takes 1000 of your life points, bringing you down to zero. Which is what you are.” His opponent’s cursing is lost to the cheering of the crowd. He reaches into his pocket.
“Here, take it.” He pushes the bundle of money towards the triumphant brunet.

“HOLD IT!” Jounouchi pushes his way to the table. “That was a fuck awesome duel. HOWEVER, there is no gambling in this establishment!”
“Mind your own business, mutt.”
“My house, my rules, Kaiba!” Fortunately, Jounouchi did not plan to say much after that.
Seto is once more sporting his blue trench coat, underneath is a sleeveless black turtleneck that leaves nothing to the imagination, several decorative belts with silver chains, tight pants, and heavy knee-high boots complete today’s fashion statement.

“Damn, you shopping at Hot Topic now?” the blond can’t help but ask.
“Shut up,” growls Seto, gathering his cards to leave. Jounouchi follows him.
“Hey! I’m not done with you! Where have you been for the last week?”
“It doesn’t concern you.” Jounouchi grabs Seto’s arm.
“Yes it does! You brought this shit into MY building! If you need money do NOT gamble for it here!” Seto rolls his eyes.
“So sorry, mutt. I’ll be moving elsewhere as soon as I have my arm back.” Seto yanks himself from the blond’s grip.
“Dammit, Kaiba! If you need money I can give it to you!” The back fist slams into his cheek so fast he’s on the ground before he realizes he’s been hit.

The security guards make to interfere, but their young boss waves them off. Jounouchi’s friends try run through the thick crowd to reach him, Honda throwing threats at Seto as he rolls up his sleeves, ready to punch the other teen as soon as he’s close enough. It’s so noisy and packed in only a few people have noticed the fight. All the while Seto’s eyes burn into Jounouchi like dry ice.

“I’ve already told you I’m not some charity case for you to take pity on, mongrel!” With Miho and Yugi’s help, Jounouchi climbs back to his feet. His cheek is turning purple even as they speak.
“You’re gonna be beggin’ for pity in a sec, asswipe,” bellows Honda, cocking his fist back.
“Wait!” Jou grabs him by the wrist. “Let me talk to him.”
“Are you fucking nuts?”
“Probably, but let me talk to him anyway.”
“WE have nothing to talk about, mutt.”
“Look,” Jounouchi says sharp enough to cut through stone as he lets Honda’s wrist go and takes a step towards Seto, “I didn’t mean to insult you. So I’m sorry. But isn’t there some other way you can make your cash?” Jounouchi doesn’t want to suggest that Seto go back to whoring, but he’s seen the guy act as translator. There have to be other jobs like that that he can do!

Seto pauses, seriously thinking over Jounouchi’s words. His blue eyes glance at the display case he can see over the blond’s shoulder.
Inside the Plexiglas box are diagrams and partially made modules. The hologram prototype has been on display for the last several months.

“How far away are you from a working model of the holo-system?”
“About a year. Why?”
“Give me access to the labs and I’ll have it to you in a month.” The group looks at Seto like he’s a madman.
“That’s fucking impossible, Kaiba,” yells Honda.
“Jou has some of the top experts working under him. I don’t think he needs YOU,” snaps Miho. She has nothing against the brunet, not really, but she won’t let him insult her friend and his team like that.
“Maybe we should give him a chance...” Yugi says, meek under the pressure of the others.

Seto ignores all of it, waiting for Jounouchi’s answer.

“Normally, I would say ‘hell no’. BUT, because that advice you gave me worked out better than I could have dreamed, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. I expect you in my office tomorrow morning, eight o’ clock sharp.” Seto smirks and rests a hand on his hip.
“I’ll be there.” His trench coat waves with dramatic flair as he walks to the elevators. Several nearby girls swoon.

Jounouchi just hopes he isn’t making a big mistake. He doesn’t believe that Seto is the type to sell information to other companies, but he could be wrong. At the same time though, he wants the brunet to be able to earn the money he needs in something that he can be proud of. The teachers are always talking about how Seto must be a genius. If they’re right... Then both of them will get something out of this job.

“Jou-kun...” Yugi tugs on the boy’s sleeve. “What about the test?”
“I’ll do a make up one.” Yugi sweatdrops.
“You’re using this as an excuse to get out of it.” Jounouchi grins and puffs out his chest.
“Sure am! Ha ha ha ha ha!”