Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Daze of Paradise ❯ Rainy Daze ( Chapter 9 )

Authoress' Notes: I know, I know. What took so long?! Forgive me, my readers! I apologize. I don't believe in such things as writer's block, but I think I may have come really damn close with this fic. But I'm back! And believe me, there's going to be some unexpected plot twists coming up…and some not-so-unexpected ones, too! ~_^ Therefore, I'm moving right along with this one…preparing the way for the next year at Domino University! *cheers*

 

Disclaimers: Caitlin and I don't own Yu-Gi Oh! I think lawyers everywhere have better things to do than trying to sue a student (and her hikari) living below the poverty line, yes?

 

Warnings:The usual.

 

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Chapter 9 - Rainy Daze

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“And painful pleasure turns to pleasing pain.”

— Edmund Spencer, The Faerie Queen Book III, CX, IX

 

The next several weeks were a flurry of activity for the group. Returning to classes (with midterms and papers to worry about - and then final exams rapidly approaching) took up much of what free time Yugi, Ryou, Malik, Joey, and Tristan had. Duke Devlin and Seto Kaiba each had their companies to run also, on top of their classes. Ishizu and Isis were busy with the museum, as usual.

During this time, too, Tea found a job teaching little kids to dance. After her first few pay-checks, she and Serenity went out to hunt for an apartment for Tea. She was quite excited to find a nice, affordable one not far from not only Yugi and Yami's building, but Ryou and Bakura's, also. The group took one weekend off to have a congratulations/welcome home/housewarming party for Tea.

As for Kala, when Mai returned two weeks after they'd left Hawaii, she returned home alone. Kala, it seemed, had decided to stay in the States with her sister, and finish her courses there. There were several international phone calls and farewell emails exchanged when Mai broke the news to everyone. Even Kaiba had sent her a polite email wishing her well.

Once classes ended, things quietened down a bit. Malik went to work at the museum with Marik tagging along, helping his sister and her yami with new exhibits. Yugi and Yami went back to help out Solomon Motou at the Game Shop over the summer (though they spent their weekends at heir apartment). Duke worked on adding a new dimension of game play to his Dice Monsters game. Tristan worked as a lifeguard at a public swimming pool, and Serenity volunteered at one of the public libraries near Mai's house. Ryou and Bakura ended up flying off to wherever Ryou's father was working on a dig to visit him. Mai made frequent journeys abroad to compete in tournaments every now and then (though she mostly enjoyed working on her suntan out by the pool in her backyard).

And since Kaiba was doing what he always did - running his company - that left Joey with nothing to do out of the group of friends.

To make matters more complicated for the blonde, tensions were building up around the house between himself and Mai. School had kept them apart a great deal but that had ended in mid-April. By June, with Joey home almost all the time, the two were beginning to get on one another's nerves.

The final straw came one night when Mai came downstairs, all decked out as if she were going out somewhere. Joey was home, as usual, and was in the living room watching TV and waiting for Tristan to bring Serenity home from their date.

He looked up as Mai came breezing in and asked him, “Joey, have you seen my keys?”

“Uh…in the kitchen by the phone.” He replied, staring at her for a moment in surprise. “Wow, Mai…what's the occasion?”

“Oh, not much. I'm just going out.” She smiled and walked toward the kitchen, balanced perfectly on her high-heeled shoes. “On a date.” She added over her shoulder as she disappeared from view.

It took a full minute for that to sink in and when it did, Joey felt a small sting of jealousy and was up off the couch and chasing after her.

“A date!? Mai…?!”

“Relax, Joseph. You even know him…Duke Devlin.” Mai dangled her keys in front of him and wiggled her fingers in a wave. “It's nothing serious. I'm just attempting to have a social life again.”

“Devlin?” That flattened Joey for a moment. “But…” he stopped himself and shook his head wryly. “Sorry, Mai. I just…yeah.”

Her eyes softened and she went to him to give him a hug. “I know. Joey, I'll always be your Mai, but I need to get on with my life.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “And so do you. I happen to know a certain CEO that's available…”

“A blind date?” Joey laughed and shook his head. “You're something else, Mai.”

“Well…not a totally blind date. And I wouldn't e the one to set you up with him.” Mai winked and headed for the front door. Joey hurried after her.

“Wait a minute… `he?'” Joey squeaked. “You're not talking about Kaiba are you?”

“Joseph, the fact that you know I'm talking about Kaiba is extremely telling.” She laughed at his dumbfounded expression and watched him turn a dull red in embarrassment. “You two have been eyeing each other sine before you and I even met. You like him, Joey.”

“I do not. He's an arrogant, selfish, stuck-up, know-it-all bastard.” Joey scowled, planting his hands on his hips indignantly. “Me interested in him? He~ll, no. Not in 5,000 years.”

Grinning now, Mai opened the door and said over her shoulder as she strode out to her car, “It's been 5,000 years, hasn't it? Think about it Joey…and don't wait up!”

Still scowling, Joey went back inside and flopped on the couch, grumbling to himself.

For the rest of the evening, Joey couldn't help thinking about what Mai had said and the entire situation in general. The conclusion he came to was that he was going to have to move out.

“It'll be better if I do. Mai's right…we both need to get on with our lives. And I can't stay here with her forever and be a third wheel when she's trying to have a relationship again.” Joey did feel a small pang at that, but it had reduced to just that - a mild pang, no longer the gut wrenching ache it had been at first.

“Step number one: get a job. Step number two: find an apartment for Serenity and I.” He grabbed a notepad and a pen, and began creating a list of things to do.

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By the time Serenity got home, Joey had a plan of action all prepared. When he heard the front door open, he pushed himself up off the couch and sauntered out to the foyer to greet his oldest friend and his little sister.

“Hey, guys! Have a good date?” He inquired, smiling when they sprang apart and Serenity blushed a little. “Oops! Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt…”

“Joey! Cut it out!” She admonished at his teasing tone.

“Heh. Sorry, sis. I can't help it. Listen, I have something to talk to you about.” He stuck his hands in his pockets, and grew serious. “Hang around, Tris, if you want. I could use your thoughts, too.”

Tristan looked at him questioningly and nodded. “Sure. What's up?” the brunette and Serenity followed Joey back to the kitchen, where the blonde dug around in the fridge for sodas for them.

For the next hour, Joey explained his plan and reasons for wanting to do it, then waited patiently for any questions or comments.

“Wow, man. It sounds like you've really thought about this.” Tristan observed. “You're sure this is what you want?”

Joey nodded. “Yes. I need to get a job anyway, but this makes it more important that I do it. I want Mai to be happy and to be able to live her life free of old ties. She deserves it.” He looked at his sister. “But its not only my decision. It's yours, too, Serenity.”

She got up and went over to hug him tightly. “Big brother, I will go wherever you do.” Serenity gave Joey a quick kiss on the cheek and let him pull her down into his lap and envelope her in a hug.

“Thanks, Serenity.”

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It was nearing the end of June, and Joey was still unable to find a job that would pay him enough to allow himself and Serenity to move out and live on their own . Normally, he wouldn't have been that picky, but with his baby sister to look after and with another year of classes only two months or so away, Joey's options were limited.

It really didn't help that the positions he did find all required previous experience or suitable references - neither of which Joey had, really.

Yami and Yugi both offered to hire him to work at the Game Shop, but Joey refused, his pride only allowing him to prove he could get employment on his own and not be indebted to the charity of his friends.

And so, on a rainy, dismal and chilly summer day, Joey found himself outside the one place he'd never expected to find himself.

Kaiba Corp's main headquarters.

Huddling further into his jacket and wishing he'd had the presence of mind to bring an umbrella with him that day, Joey gripped the newspaper he held in one hand and gathered himself to go inside and ask to speak with the person in charge of the department the ad in said newspaper had advertised. It was a modest job testing new gaming technology that the company produced on a regular basis. The ad had requested someone with at least some provable skill with duelling, and Joey figured he had that requirement covered easily.

However, until then, he'd put off going to inquire about the position for the simple fact that he would, in essence, be working for someone he considered the bane of his existence - Seto Kaiba. And the Gods forbid that Kaiba should learn that he was working for him.

Joey would never hear the end of that, and any smidgen of respect he had ever managed to earn from Kaiba, he just knew he would instantly lose it.

Shivering, Joey looked down at the newspaper, then up at the building, then down at the newspaper again as he fought an internal debate, doubt plaguing him once more. With all the rejections he'd faced lately, his self-confidence was already at an all-time low, and he wasn't sure how he could handle another if things didn't go well - especially from this place. He was so absorbed in his internal dilemma that he didn't notice a limo pulling up to the curb a few feet away, nor the dark-haired teenaged boy that stepped out onto the sidewalk with an umbrella to shield himself from the steady downpour.

“Joey? Hey, Joey!” Mokuba Kaiba called, walking over to his rain-soaked friend. “What are you doing out here in this weather? And without an umbrella?”

The blonde froze, looking down at the youngest Kaiba brother in shock and sudden panic. How the hell was he going to explain this one?

“Uh…hey, Mokuba! Wasn't expecting to see you today…how's it goin'?” He managed to reply weakly, hoping the youth wouldn't notice. No such luck - he was Seto's brother, after all.

Mokuba eyed him suspiciously. “I'm fine, but you're obviously not. Come on, Joey. Let's go inside so you can at least get dry before you catch a cold or something.”

“Oh, well…I'm fine.” He sneezed, ruining his intended effect. “I mean, you must be busy, and…”

“Nah. I always come to spend the afternoon with Seto when I have free time - and now that school's done for summer, I have lots of time. So, come on! At least come in and have some tea, Joey. Please?”

Joey could never say no to those big, pleading, dark blue-grey eyes that were so full of innocence and so unlike his older brother's. With a deep sigh, the blond caved and let the kid lead him into the building.

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Mokuba led him into a large, spacious room that appeared to be an oversized living room.

“Where are we, `Kuba?” Joey asked, looking around in awe at the obvious wealth the room displayed as he shrugged out of his soaked jacket.

“Oh! We're in my brother's penthouse suite. He has it here for those nights he doesn't make it home from work before midnight. The washroom's right through that door, Joey, if you want to dry off.” Mokuba pointed. “There are towels in there, too. I'll go dig and see if I can find you a set of clothes so you can change out of those wet ones.”

“You don't have to…” Joey began to protest but Mokuba ignored it and disappeared through another door. He sighed in resignation and went into the washroom to dry off.

A few moments later, as Joey was struggling to get his thoroughly soaked shirt off over his head, a knock at the door nearly gave him a heart attack from surprise.

“Hey, Joey! I have some clothes for you!” Mokuba's voice came through the door and the blonde poked his head out.

“You didn't have to…” he began again, but Mokuba shook his head firmly.

“No, Joey. I don't want you to get sick, so please just take these and put them on. They may not fit perfectly, since they're my brother's old ones, but they should be good enough to get home in.” The dark haired teen shoved the bundle into the blonde's hands and closed the door on him.

Oh Gods…I hope Kaiba doesn't see me wearing his stuff. If he finds me here in the first place he'll probably sic those gorillas in suits he employs on me, and that's bad enough! Joey stared at himself in the mirror, his face sheet white at the thought. The clothes he'd been given were a simple pair of black cotton pants, and a faded black turtle-neck sweater - both were a little baggy on him in places. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to get the water out of his blonde locks. Then he used a towel to keep trying to dry it, stepping back out into the living area.

“Hey, Mokuba…” he said, the towel in front of his eyes blocking his view of the room. “I'm not so sure I should be up here. I mean, your brother will probably through a conniption fit if he finds me here.”

“I do not have conniptions.” The answer came not from Mokuba, but a voice Joey knew all too well and immediately froze his blood. The blonde fumbled with the towel in his haste to get it off his head, and stared in horror at Seto Kaiba. The CEO sat on the plush leather couch, looking totally at ease there with his arms resting stretched out on either side of him across the back of the couch, and one leg crossed over the other's knee casually. He was watching Joey coolly with amused, ice-blue eyes and a faint smirk on his face.

But what really freaked Joey out most was that he was alone with Kaiba.

Mokuba was no where in sight.

“Uh…I was just…your brother…it's raining…” Joey babbled incoherently. He'd gone sheet white before, but was now turning a bright shade of red as he quickly bent to scoop up the towel he'd dropped.

“Yes. I know. Mokuba told me he'd found you out front on the street like a soggy, wet, stray puppy.” The smirk spread. “Feel better now that you're dry, Wheeler?”

“I'm fine. I was fine. Your brother wouldn't take no for an answer.” Joey twisted the towel in his hands, looking around the room - anywhere else to avoid meeting his nemesis' unreal eyes. They were completely unnerving, especially since they were alone, which Joey wasn't used to. It happened very rarely, as Yugi or Yami, or Mokuba, or someone was usually around to buffer (referee) the two clashing personalities.

There was a moment of silence as Kaiba observed the other duellist with carefully disguised interest. Joey, he decided, looked…good in his clothes. The blonde was wearing an old pair of his pants with an old shirt that was severely faded. Realizing he was staring, Kaiba broke the silence first.

“Mokuba has a big heart. He never could resist bringing home stray animals when he found them.” Kaiba held up a hand to prevent the instant outburst he could see forming in Joey's honey-brown eyes at being likened to a stray dog. “Relax, Wheeler. It's just an observation, not an insult. He was always bringing home stray kittens or dogs. Gozoboro never let him keep them, though.”

Joey scowled. “Whatever. Look, tell Mokuba I appreciate his - your - hospitality. I'll just…get out of your way.” He grabbed the plastic bag with his wet clothes and went to the door to put on his shoes. “And don't worry about your clothes, Kaiba. I'll have them laundered before I return them.”

Kaiba blinked and stood up slowly. “Where are you running off to? And forget about the clothes, Mutt. Keep them. I have plenty.” He walked over to Joey sedately, wondering at the blonde's apparent haste to get away from him…though not wondering at the same time. It wasn't like they got along at the best of times, after all.

“I'm getting out of your hallowed halls, milord.” Joey informed him, voice dripping with sarcasm, pulling on his shoes. “Besides, I have things to do before I go back to Mai's.”

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. “ `Mai's?' Don't you mean home?”

Joey paused in tying his shoelace. When he spoke again, his voice was strained. “No. I meant what I said. Excuse me.” He stared at Kaiba's throat when he stood up (still avoiding eye contact) since the CEO was blocking the door now.

“I take it things aren't going so well between you two.” Kaiba said quietly. It didn't sound like he cared one way or the other, but the fact that he was even commenting on it confused Joey.

“Why are you so interested, money-bags?” Now he meat Kaiba's gaze - with a glare. “What do you care?” A horrible thought crossed his mind, and for some odd, unknown reason, he felt a sharp pang of hurt deep in his chest. “Are you…interested in Mai?”

Kaiba just barely managed to restrain himself from a) falling over in shock, and b) laughing his ass off at the very idea. Instead, he just snickered and replied, “Hell, no. She's an excellent duellist, and she's beautiful, but so not my type.”

Really confused now (and inexplicably relieved), Joey's scowl morphed into a frown of confusion. “Then why?”

“Because, Joey Wheeler, when you get found outside my building in this dismal weather looking like you've lost Yugi and Taylor ran off with your sister, then I get curious.” Kaiba stated succinctly. Not to mention concerned. He added silently. Though I don't know why.

Joey face-vaulted. “I hope he didn't put it like that.”

“No. I'm putting it like that. So?”

“It's nothing. Just a bad day, that's all.” Joey hedged. He really didn't want to tell Kaiba he'd been about to come in and apply for a job at Kaiba Corp.

Kaiba just looked at him, as if to say, “Right.” in that disbelieving tone of his. “Try again.”

“Look, it's none of your business, Kaiba. If you'd let me pass, I'll be out of your way and you won't have to worry about it. So if you don't mind…” Joey tried to move around him, but Kaiba stood impassively and in the way.

“No, you look, Joey.” Kaiba shook his head and became quite serious. “My brother was really worried about you. Normally, I wouldn't make it my business, but if I don't find out what's wrong with you, Mokuba will never let me hear the end of it, and I'd rather have my peace and quiet - not to mention I don't want him constantly worrying about you. So I'll ask again: what's going on with you?”

Joey slumped and kicked off his shoes again. “Fine. I'll tell you all of it…but can we sit? It could take awhile, and frankly, I'm tired.”

Kaiba nodded and followed him over to the couches, where they sat.

“Where is `Kuba, anyway?” Joey asked.

“I sent him to run some errands for me so I could go home early with him tonight.”

“Oh.” Joey stared at his hands in his lap. He'd hoped Mokuba would be coming back soon so that he would have an excuse to be interrupted (or not talk to Kaiba at all).

Kaiba studied the bent blonde head with a frown. This wasn't like Joey at all. The usual energy he normally displayed just seemed to be gone from the other man, and despite himself, Kaiba began to feel more than just a little concerned about him.

Just a little.

“I was out looking for a job when I ran into Mokuba.” Joey finally said in a low voice. “I decided that Serenity and I…that it was time we moved on to a place of our own and to give Mai her life back - her space.”

“Uh huh. That's probably a good idea. You should both try to move on with your lives.”

Joey got up and began to pace, forgetting for the moment who he was talking to and where he was completely. “That was the general idea. But…I can't afford an apartment yet, not unless I get work somewhere that will pay me enough - and still keep me on when I go back to classes in the fall. Serenity deserves a solid home, for once in her life. I'm trying my best, but…” Joey made a frustrated, growling sort of noise. “I've been trying for weeks! But everywhere I go, all I get is the same thing: `You don't have enough experience,' or `You're a student, and we need someone fully devoted to the job.'” He snorted angrily. “Like I wouldn't do my best or work hard enough just because I'm in university. What do they think we do there, anyway?”

Kaiba sat back and tuned out Joey's rant for a moment, putting together the bits and pieces to see the whole picture. So something must have happened to prompt him to want to move out - and of course he's taking Serenity with him - and because he hasn't worked or whatever, he can't seem to find a job so that they can move out. The brunette shook his head wryly. There were a few things that didn't quite add up, however; the biggest question still being that he still hadn't explained why he was outside of Kaiba Corp.

“Let me get this straight…” Kaiba interrupted the blonde's rant, holding up a hand. “You want to move out to a decent place with your sister, but you don't have a job - despite your best efforts to try and get one - so you can't afford to move…and basically you're all depressed and pathetic because your pride is hurt and you feel like a lousy big brother, and that Serenity is very disappointed in you.”

Joey stared at him, surprise clearly written on his face. “Uh…yeah.”

“I see. Can I ask a couple questions just to clarify some things?”

Blinking, Joey nodded slowly. “I guess so.”

“Okay. To begin with, what prompted the whole foray into the working world in the first place?” Seto raised an eyebrow. “I know you well enough to know if you don't have to do something, then you won't.”

Joey gave him a mild scowl. “I'm going to ignore the fact that you just called me `lazy' in a round-about way.” He flopped down next to Kaiba, mind drifting back to the night he'd decided to move out. “Mai…started dating again.” He gave a heavy sigh and the whole tale came pouring out.

Kaiba listened, not saying a word. As Joey spoke, he began to understand the blonde in a way he hadn't before. And suddenly Kaiba's thoughts turned in a direction he wasn't sure he was, for one thing, comfortable with - not to mention that he was really unsure about why he had a sudden urge to help Joey somehow.

When Joey had fallen silent, head lowered as he stared at his feet in shame and self-pity, Kaiba sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He sincerely wished hat Yugi and/or the Pharaoh were here and not him. He didn't know how to do this sympathetic friendship comfort thing.

But then, he was Seto Kaiba, and just because he didn't know how to do something didn't mean he wouldn't try.

“Putting it all together, I think I see why Mokuba found you outside in the rain, Mutt.” Though he used his usual name for Joey, there was none of the usual scorn or even teasing in his voice. “I take it you were going to swallow all your pride and apply for that product testing position we'd recently posted an ad for in the newspaper.”

Joey swallowed hard, really feeling about as low as he could possibly get. Unable to deny it, since that's exactly what he'd been about to do, he could only reply, “Yes. I thought…maybe even if I don't have a lot of work experience or anything, my reputation as a duellist would give me an edge over other candidates…” Joey explained, a touch of bitterness in his voice. He refused to look at the other man, fearing Kaiba's inevitable crushing put-downs and scathing remarks. Actually, he was a little shocked the cold brunette hadn't said anything of that nature yet, and Joey was almost afraid to wonder why. “Pretty lame reasoning, right? I mean, who cares if I can duel passably well.”

“Are you always this self-depreciating? Lame?” Now Kaiba scoffed. “You really are a dumb mutt, Wheeler. At least 2/3 of the people who apply for the job will barely be able to play `Go fish' let alone hold their own in a duel. Now you may be pathetic in a duelling arena - compared to me of course - but I'll give you this much: you can more than hold your own in a duel.”

Joey's jaw dropped open and he stared at Kaiba, speechless.

“Cut that out, Joey. You look ridiculous.” The CEO grumbled, pink staining the bridge of his nose. “You'll never measure up to my level of skill, after all, but even I have to admit you don't get as far as you have without some skill - and an unnatural plethora of pure luck.”

“Hey…” Joey protested weakly, still stunned at what, coming from Seto Kaiba, was a supreme compliment.

Kaiba smirked, pleased with himself. At least he's not wallowing in self-pity anymore. I'd rather have him arguing and angry at me than that. A depressed Joey is unnatural. He pushed himself to his feet and walked over to the expanse of glass windows, staring out at the rain. “Listen, Mutt, if you apply, you have a pretty good shot at being chosen and hired.” He glanced back over his shoulder at the blonde. “And before you start sputtering about charity, forget it. You know I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. I'm just giving you my honest opinion based on what I know about you and your skills - which is about the same the manager of that department would know about you after an interview. Plus, I know your duelling skill.” He looked back out at the rain. “My advice would be to get your résumé down there ASAP.”

“I…you…why?” Joey finally asked quietly. He would never understand this complex, blue-eyed High Priest.

“Because I felt like it.” Kaiba replied blithely. At Joey's growl of annoyance, he chuckled and continued more seriously. “And because I remember being a big brother trying to do what I could for my little brother so he would never have to.”

Joey smiled and got up, joining his arch-nemesis at the window. They both stared out at the rain for a while in silence, until Joey spoke again.

“It's tough being the big-brother - but it's worth it.”

“As long as Mokuba is happy and healthy, then so am I.”

“Ditto for Serenity and I.”

For the first time in their long, tumultuous history, Joey Wheeler and Seto Kaiba shared a moment of agreement and understanding.

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Two minutes after Joey had walked out the door, following Mokuba down several floors to the appropriate department so he could fill out an application and hand in a résumé, Kaiba went into his office and picked up the phone to call the production testing manager.

“It's Kaiba.” He said when the manager answered. “An application for the testing position is going to come across your desk in the near future from a Joey Wheeler. Be sure you give him considerable consideration for the job, but treat him no differently than you would the other applicants.”

“Joey Wheeler, sir?” Kaiba ignored the startled recognition of Joey's name.

“That's right. And if you find yourself unimpressed with his references, keep in mind that I am one, also - though my name won't be listed. Understood?”

“Crystal clear, sir.”

Satisfied that he'd done his good deed for the week (at least), Kaiba hung up the phone and couldn't stop smiling a little ruefully at himself.

“I hope you're happy, Yugi. I've finally cracked.”

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Authoress' Notes: So I don't know if I spelled `Gozoboro' correctly…someone want to let me know if I did or not? Thanks! And I know I've said it before, but I'm on a roll with this one. I fully expect to be finished it soon, since after the posting of this chapter, I have at least the next three chapters already written up and in need of typing. So stay tuned… Please R/R!!!!