Katsuya Game

Author: Ozark the MoonHead.

Chapter Four: Is This Love?

Jou couldn't believe his eyes.

Seto Kaiba, someone who had treated him like dirt, who picked on him, and called him names, was risking his very life to protect him. "KAIBA!" Jou shouted in horror, eyes wide with shock and fear. That attack could very well kill him! Why would he do something like that?!

Kaiba glanced over at Jou with a faint, half-smirk. He couldn't believe what he was doing, either. It had been pure instinct, and now it was too late to back out. He wasn't given a second more to think as the sudden burst of pure energy contacted squarely with his back.

His pupils shrunk to mere dots as a huge amount of strain appeared on his face. His teeth were clenched so hard he was sure they would crack from the pressure he applied to them in his attempt to keep back a loud cry of pain. It felt as if it was burning into his very soul! This was pain like he had never felt, and it was as if it were tearing him apart from the inside.

"Kaiba!" Jou cried in horror. Oh gods, he was going to die at this rate! He-he had to do something! But what? There wasn't anything he could possibly think of to do for the brunet at all! He felt his stomach churn as he saw the pain expression on Kaiba's face. "No..." he whispered. The words were barely audible.

Everyone watched in horror as the attack faded out. It was a miracle, when they saw the brunet was standing; but only just. His form smoked faintly, and he took in deep, laboured breaths. They couldn't see his eyes, his hair shadowing his face. His arms hung limply at his sides, and for a moment, it looked as if he had escaped the death that had been served to him.

For a moment, even Marik stared wide-eyed at the brunet. "No...there is no way he could still be standing!" he protested. And it seemed that the psychotic duelist was right, for not a moment later, Kaiba gave a hollow, faint chuckle. His legs gave out, and his body fell limply to the duel field.

Jonouchi blanched. "Kaiba!" he cried, rushing to his side. "Kaiba! Kaiba! Wake up!" he cried desperately, shaking at his shoulders. "Kaiba! Damnit, wake up!" he said, feeling his eyes get a little wetter. The others were silent, only able to watch as the blonde feebly tried to shake the brunet back into consciousness. Every attempt was unsuccessful.

"Ni...niisama!" Mokuba cried, tears falling from his eyes as he rushed towards the duel platform. "Niisama!"

"Hold it right there," Marik grinned as he held out the Sennen Rod. "Mai's life points have reached zero, which means I've won the duel," he grinned. "You do recall our little agreement, don't you my dear?"

"Wh…what…?" Mai asked, clearly dazed as she stared up at the psychotic looking Egyptian.

"I know your memory has failed you, so let's just get to the point, my dear," he grinned as he held the Sennen rod out in front of him, the eye on the mystical item shining brightly as Mai gave a cry of pain.

Jou and the others watched in horror as the blonde woman fell lifelessly to the duel platform, eyes closed and unmoving. "You… You bastard…" he choked out, shadow falling over his eyes as he clenched a fist. Wet pearls fell from his eyes as he looked up, eyes full of hate and anger.

"Hn," Marik smirked. "The girl knew what she was doing by accepting my challenge, so it was her own fault. As for Kaiba, he was a fool. It's a shame he couldn't have died, but I doubt he'll be up and about anytime soon," he grinned. "Now, I believe that the next duel is about to begin. And since it's not my turn for now, I bid you all adieu." They all glared at the retreating for of Marik, paramedics rushing up to retrieve the two victims of the intense duel.

"Take them both to the infirmary right away!" Isono ordered as Kaiba and Mai were loaded onto stretchers. Mokuba and Jou were the first to follow after the two, looks of worry on their face. Jou still couldn't believe it… Kaiba had risked his life for him. He didn't know if he could say the same. 'And then Mai…' He felt his eyes get wet again, and he was forced to wipe them away swiftly as Yami laid a hand on his shoulders.

"I'm sure Kaiba will be fine, Jou-kun," he said. He knew that, even if Jou refused to admit it, he cared more fore the brunet than he let on.

"Y-yeah, I know," he said shakily as he watched the doctors fit him onto a bed, giving him a respirator and checking his pulse. 'Please be alright' he prayed silently, watching as the younger Kaiba went immediately to his brother's side, tiny tears escaping his eyes as well.

"You guys, if Kaiba's in here, what's going to happen to his duel?" Honda asked hesitantly.

"All we can do is wait half an hour," Isono admitted as he stood behind them. "Mr. Kaiba's rules state that clearly, and even if it is himself, he'd want them followed." Jou bit his lip. 'Come on, Kaiba…wake up already…'

"I can't believe Kaiba did something like that…" Otogi murmured. "I mean, he's always said that he's hated Jou. So why would he go through all the trouble to protect him and Mai like that?"

"Jou?" Anzu looked to the blonde duelist. He looked quite distraught as well, biting his lip in worry. His expression changed, however, when he was addressed.

"Huh?"

"Do you have any idea why Kaiba did what he did?" Yuugi asked, taking the place on Yami. Jou shook his head faintly.

"No. It doesn't make any sense at all… I mean he's treated me like crap an' stuff. It makes no sense at all." There was a silence that fell over the room as they watched the expression of anguish upon the blonde's face.

"We should go check on Ryou," Yuugi said after a moment. "We'll leave you two here, okay?" Yuugi said, ignoring the blinks he got from the group. Jou nodded mutely, not really caring as he moved beside Mokuba. He paid them little heed as the left, leaving him with the unconscious Kaiba and the worried Mokuba.

"Gomen ne, Mokuba…" Jou murmured after a while. "I didn't think anything like this was going to happen."

"It's okay, Jou-kun," he shook his head. "I knew niisama would probably do something like this." Jou looked down at the youth in surprise.

"Wha?" Mokuba gave a small smile, holding Seto's hand gently.

"Niisama really likes you. I know he'd never admit it to your face or anything, but he really does care. I know he may not show it in the best way, but…he really does." He turned to face Jou. "Niisama doesn't get close to people because he's afraid of being hurt."

"Mokuba, I…" Jou was flabbergasted. Kaiba liked him? For real? "He likes me?" Mokuba couldn't help but give a small laugh at the blonde's reaction.

"Well, by the way he gushes over you in his journal, I'd definitely say yes."

"He WRITES about me?!" he gaped in shock. 'Wow…that's kinda flattering…and creepy…' "Um…what…what does he write about me…?" he asked, cheeks tinted a soft pink hue.

Mokuba smiled slightly. "I think he'll tell you that when he wants to. Just…be patient with him, okay?" Jou flushed, and Mokuba could instantly tell he liked the CEO back.

"Nnn…" Both teens looked over to the brunet at the sound that fell past his lips. His brow was furrowed, and it appeared he was waking up.

"Niisama…?" Mokuba asked hopefully, holding the brunet's hand in his own.

"Ugh…" Kaiba groaned, brow furrowing again as cerulean eyes of ice slowly cracked open. The room slowly came back into focus, and he frowned out of reflex when he saw Jou. "What are you doing here, mutt?"

Any sympathy the blonde had for the brunet just went out the window with the 'mutt' comment, and he glared heatedly at him. "I ain't no dog, Kaiba! An' if ya must know, I was worried about you, ya prick!"

Kaiba blinked at that. "Worried?"

"We all were, niisama," Mokuba said with a half-smile. "When you got hit with Ra's blast…" He trailed off, reliving the terrible memory. Kaiba's expression turned to a slightly less harsh one.

"Mokuba, I'm fine." And to prove it, he sat up, only wincing slightly. His back ached something terrible.

"Uh…you sure you should be sittin' up like that?" Jou asked, blinking slightly. "I mean, ya just got blasted in the back by Ra…"

"I'm fine, mutt," Kaiba glared. "I don't need your pity."

"I wasn't pitying ya!" Jou shot back, anger burning in his eyes. "See if I ever care about you again!" he huffed, stalking from the room in anger.

"Niisama…" Mokuba began, giving his brother a sad and disappointed look.

"Don't even begin," Kaiba muttered, eyes dark as he looked to the side. 'The mutt was actually worried…?'

"But Niisama…!"

"No. We're not discussing this anymore; I have a duel to win," he said, eyes full of thought and a thirst to win as he forced himself to stand up. Mokuba could only sigh heavily.

"Sooner or later, you're going to realize that you like him," Mokuba said. "And when you do, he might have already gotten together with someone else." Kaiba ignored the comment, and kept walking.

Jou sighed heavily as he plopped down on the couch in his room. Kaiba had won his duel, despite his injuries and Ishizu's assurance that he would fail. 'Kaiba…' His tired gaze hardened. 'Where does he get off, insultin' me like that? Gargh! He's such a prick!' He threw one cushion at the door, the only noise being the small thud of contact against the door, and then again on the floor.

"What does he have against me?!" he growled. "I ain't done nothin' to him at all…!" Jou gave an exasperated sighed as he rolled over onto his stomach, one arm draped over the edge of it. "Can't he see I don't want to fight anymore…?" He just didn't get Kaiba. He acted like a total prick, but yet he risked his life to save him! 'Not to mention kissin' me an' stuff…' He felt a flush rise to his cheeks. "What do I care? He's just a big jerk anyway!" he muttered to himself, scowling at a poor defenseless couch cushion.

Knowing full well that he wouldn't be getting much sleep right then, he sighed once more and sat up, running a hand through his hair. He was lucky the others had agreed to bunk with Yuugi for the night. He stood, not bothering to don his shoes, and walked out of his room, arms behind his head as he moved down the hall. The sound of padded feet was barely audible as he walked slowly, eye deeply clouded with thought.

'Gods, this is so confusing… Do I like Kaiba? At all? I mean…gaaah, I don't know what I mean! I slept with the guy, but he seduced me! But he risked his life for me, but argh!' "I'm so confused…" he groaned, flopping against a wall with a small thud.

"What's a pup like you doing out so late without you Master?" Jou looked up with a scowl at the standing, cross-armed figure of Kaiba, dressed only in his black outfit, white coat missing.

"What's it to you, Kaiba? You ain't my Master." Kaiba looked at Jou with an unreadable expression. His eyes were full of thought, and solemnity.

"Jonouchi, we need to talk," he said. Jou glared.

"Fuck you! You've treated me like total crap!" he shot back. "I hate you." His eyes were downcast and his arms looped about his knees. Giving a sigh, Kaiba walked over so that he stood towering over him, looking down as Jou looked up. "…What?" Jou asked when the brunet made no motion to speak.

"Mutt."

"Kaiba, I ain't a dog, an' you know it," Jou growled out. "I'm not gonna just come to yer beck an' call, y'hear?" The brunet seemed unfazed as he knelt in front of the blonde, azure eyes locked with uncertain honey ones. "Wha-"

"I'm tired of this," Kaiba cut off. Jou blinked at him, feeling uneasiness within him.

"What?"

"I'm tired of this. Fighting. And I know you are too," he said, eyes serious and unblinking. The look sent shivers down Jou's spine as he swallowed, taking a shaky breath. "I don't want to keep up this charade, mutt. I'm tired of fighting with you."

"M-me too," Jou agreed uncertainly. "Where…where do we-" His words were cut off again. But this time, not by words. He stared in shock at the brunet, whose lips had claimed his own. Eyes shut, lips soft. Jou couldn't find the will to respond, completely awed as the CEO slowly pulled back.

"Shut up. You talk too much," he murmured, forehead rested against the blonde's. Jou was speechless. Okay, he officially had NO idea what the hell was going on. But he shut his mouth anyway, watching the brunet wordlessly as he stood. "Come." It was almost a command, and had he been in the right state of mind, he'd have most likely had a retort to that. But, being as flabbergasted as he was he could only nod dumbly and stumble to follow after him.

This… It was all too confusing! Kaiba didn't want to fight anymore? Did that mean he liked him? Or was he finally fed up with the blonde? 'But he wouldn't have kissed me…right?' Doubt clouded all his thoughts as he followed after Kaiba like some lost puppy. 'How ironic,' he thought sarcastically. 'Please, please let this turn out okay…' he prayed silently as they came to the CEO's personal quarters, the metal door sliding open with the quick flick of a card.

"Uh…Kaiba? Um…why am I he-" and once again, he was cut off by the brunet as he kissed him suddenly, pulling him by the front of his shirt. "Mrph!" Jou cried out, the sound muffled by Kaiba's lips. 'What the hell?!'

"I told you to shut up," Kaiba said as he pulled away. Jou felt his cheeks heat up as he glared.

"You prick! You think you can just drag me over here to-"

"You followed me." Kaiba smirked at the dumbfounded look on the blonde's face. "Now, if you've finished making a fool of yourself, shall we begin?" Jou frowned.

"Begin…what, exactly?" Kaiba sighed.

"The discussion."

"Oh. Right," he flushed. He followed the brunet to a table in the middle of the room, sitting across from him and shifting awkwardly. "So…"

"Let's face it," Kaiba said. 'Always one to get to the point,' Jou thought with slight mirth. "Neither of us enjoy fighting with the other. Correct?" Jou nodded mutely. "Good. Then we can agree on a temporary truce for this tournament. You don't both me, I don't bother you. Sound fair?" Jou could only stare.

"Wh-what?! That's all you wanted?!" he cried. Kaiba looked less than impressed.

"You expected more?" Jou just glared.

"You asshole! I thought you at least had a heart or something! I don't get you at all!" he cried. "Sometimes you act like a total ass, others you try and control me, and just now, ya fckin' kissed me! How the hell am I supposed to feel, with you toying with my emotions all the time?!"

Kaiba was silent for a long while, letting the blonde vent until he was flushed and breathing heavily from his outburst. "Don't…you have anything…to say?!" Jou growled out.

"I do, in fact," he replied coolly. "I don't know what kind of unsettled feelings you have for me, but I can assure you that I have none for you. My actions were solely based on convincing you to come with me."

The words were like a knife to the heart for Jou. He could only stare, gaping at the CEO in complete and utter horror. 'Kaiba…he…that bastard…' Jou could feel his hands tighten in anger and the trembled with the force he clenched them with. His head hung, and he gave a bitter laugh. "Ha…I knew it…" he said, voice cracking slightly. "I knew you were nothing but a heartless bastard…" He felt tears flowing from his eyes as he gave a bitter laugh. "I was such a fool…"

"If you think I had any attraction to you whatsoever, then yes, you are," Kaiba replied, eyes unfeeling. "Now, if you have no further business you'd wish to discuss, leave."

"I hate you…" Jou whispered, looking up slowly. Honey eyes were full of hate and anger, tears rolling down his face. "I wish I'd never met you!" he yelled, a gripped fist coming up to punch Kaiba squarely in the face.

Kaiba grunted, falling back to the floor with a bewildered look on his face, rubbing his cheek. "What the…?" He watched as Jou glared at him, before rushing from the room. The brunet just blinked a again, shaking his head. "What the hell is wrong with him…?"

R&R kudasai!