Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Insider Trading ❯ Country Club, Pt 2 ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Insider Trading 2: Part 2

Arakaki reported to his boss on the outside that Kaiba Seto was linked to Katsuya Jounouchi in a
very intimate way. His boss got very worried too. After a quick meeting between several of the
outside Oyabun who owed Joey, it was decided that if Joey asked he would receive. It was much
too dangerous to attract Kaiba attention, especially now.

Arakaki received his orders with a sigh of relief. He went to talk to the small contingent of
yakuza at Shainingu Kyuuden. They all greeted his information with the same relief. They
weren't up to handling Joey. They were all upper rank men and not muscle. They had no
bodyguards to provide it.

One man gave his opinion, which was greeted with nodding heads. "Let the outsiders make him
mad. They all think their money buys them rights they should have to earn. Kaiba-sama and
Katsuya-sama will put them in their places or I miss my guess. Someone want to bet me
something?" No one took him up on a sure thing like that.

The meeting broke up and the men all went to get tea. They had their own little area and
discouraged the gaikuza from intruding there. None of the business men did intrude, they were
scared of the yakuza, although none of them would admit it. They also considered them beneath
their notice. The oyabun didn't care, as long as the gaikuza stayed out of the way, they could
think what they wanted.

.

Seto returned to his cell, thinking. He decided he'd better talk to Joey as soon as possible.
Hopefully he was still awake.

Joey was awake, laying in bed, reading. Seto was pleased to see that Joey really was going to
read his way through the reading list that Seto had recommended. Joey was very smart,
intelligent, whatever you wanted to call it. But overwork, boring lecturers and fate had kept him
from learning. Now that he had a chance, Seto was going to see that he took advantage of it. Joey
wasn't protesting any.

"What are you reading now?"

Joey glanced up. "Trump on Trump. Interesting. Have you ever written a biography?"

Seto snorted. "Who me? Not a chance. I'm too busy and I'm not giving out my secrets."

Joey laughed softly. "Ok. How was dinner?"

"Decent. I had two interesting companions, one after the other. Seems the, shall we call them,
business section of the population thinks I should dump you. The yakuza just want peace. I'm
inclined to offer peace to the yakuza and crush the other. What do you think?"

Joey carefully put his book on the bedside table to avoid throwing it. "I don't think. You're the
one who knows how to handle this bunch. What do you think?"

"I think, if we knuckle down to the business faction, we'll never have any peace. I'll never have
any peace when I get out of here. They'll expect me to knuckle under every time they want
something there too. I'll never be able to do business without a battle again. They can kiss my
ass."

Joey's stiff shoulders relaxed. Seto realized that he'd been braced to be cast off, unworthy again.

"Come here." Seto held out his arms, Joey unashamedly eased off the bed and into a hug. "I'll
never toss you out. You're as precious to me as Mo'. I'm not a demonstrative person. Gozaburo
beat it out of me when I was too young to know better. I've been holding off too much. Ashamed
because I'm awkward about it. Hold your head up, be proud of us. Got me?"

Joey nodded, sighing against Seto's chest. "I feel silly. You gave your word. I know you don't
give it unless you intend to keep it. So ... we're in this together to the end. Tell me what I should
do."

"Hold your head up. Don't take shit from anyone. Don't worry about embarrassing me. You
can't. The only one who can embarrass me is me. First thing tomorrow, we have people coming
from several stores. I'll buy you the best of everything, wear it like it's from Goodwill.
Understand?"

Joey nodded, he'd seen Seto get tea dumped in his lap. He'd ignored it like it was nothing, the
suit had been worth several hundred dollars. It was attitude like that that couldn't be argued with.
He just hoped he could be as cool.

"I understand. I just don't know how good I'm going to be at having something spilled on an
expensive suit."

Seto tucked a finger under Joey's chin. "Let it go, no matter what. Control that temper of yours.
Do not let them get under your skin. No matter what they do. If someone actually works up the
nerve to hit you, well, break something they're attached too, ok?"

Joey looked up at Seto. It didn't matter, now, that Seto was still at least four inches taller. Joey
sighed again and leaned on Seto. Seto just held him. They were in a position that Seto doubted
Joey had managed much. He, Joey, had never had much affection that he didn't have to pay for,
in one way or another. Seto was going to see that he didn't have to pay anymore.

"Seto? Bed?"

"Sure."

Seto and Joey helped each other out of their clothing, tossing it all over the bedroom. Seto
fastened his mouth to Joey's and kissed him until Joey had to pull away to catch his breath.
When he did, he dived back to Seto to kiss him back with a similar result.

They managed to stumble to the bed and flop down on it, in a tangle of limbs and breathless
laughter.

"Seto?"

"Hummm."

"Don't laugh."

"Won't"

"Um ... I ... I love you. Ai shiteru, koi."

Seto pulled back and blinked at Joey. No one said ai shiteru outside romance novels. "Well,
that's a surprise. Ai shiteru, also."

Joey moaned softly. "Don't say it if you don't mean it."

"Never. I'm too proud to lie about something like that. I do love you. And you'll notice that I'm
not laughing."

Joey just reached down and captured a part of Seto that was very interested in the proceedings.
Seto moaned and pushed into Joey's hand. Joey stroked gently and slowly, wringing another
moan out of Seto.

Seto fumbled a bit then managed to return the favor. Joey whimpered in what could only be
described as need. He whispered, "Yes, there. Right there. More."

Seto continued to stroke Joey until Joey used a judo move to flip him onto his back. Seto didn't
resist as he knew what was coming next.

Joey fumbled under the pillow. "Slick, now." Seto just handed Joey the tube with a small snicker.

It didn't take long for Joey to make sure he wouldn't hurt Seto. Seto's impatient, "Now, dammit,
now." Not withstanding.

Joey lowered himself to lie on top of Seto, linking their fingers together and allowing Seto to
lock his ankles behind the small of his back. Seto urged Joey into motion with his heels. "So
good. Joey, damn, you're so good."

"You're no slouch yourself. You're so hot. Feel so good."

The rest of the sounds they made were soft and incomprehensible, even to them. Seto's final cry
was muffled by Joey's kiss.

Joey flopped over onto his side, taking his weight off Seto. Seto sighed and pulled the sheet up
over their sweaty bodies.

"That was so good. You were awful quiet. You ok?"

Joey grinned at Seto. "Yeah, it's nice not to have to make all that noise. I was loud because the
other prisoners expected it. I'm really fairly quiet. Sorry."

"Don't apologize. We both did what we had to do. Nice that we could enjoy it too. I do like it a
little more quiet. This was really nice." Seto rubbed his face with one hand. "Want a wash?"

Joey sniffed loudly. "We better. We stink like sex. Not that I mind ... much. But it's really great
to be able to shower whenever I want."

Seto laughed softly. "Well, still better not bend over. You're liable to find something somewhere
... interesting."

Joey just snorted. "Don't think so."

"Can't blame a guy for trying."

"Just watch me."

They both laughed and headed for their separate bathrooms.

.

Sleep knocked them both out about ten minutes after they showered and returned to bed. Waking
the next morning in a soft bed, in Seto's embrace made Joey want to roll over and stay in bed for
longer. Seto booted him out of the bed announcing that he'd better get up for breakfast or they'd
run on an empty stomach, something Joey hated.

Joey scrambled out of bed and got dressed in a jogging suit. It belonged to Seto but fit him well
enough due to its elasticity. He looked good in the slightly clinging jersey fabric. It outlined his
muscles without being too tight. Seto couldn't help a quick ogle.

They headed down the hall to the dining room, side by side. Joey's old trainers squeaked on the
floor. "We going to get that shopping done today?"

"Yes, the first salesman will be here at 10:00am. We'll be done in time to shower first if you
don't dawdle over breakfast."

Joey snickered. "And when have you known me to do that?"

"Well ... never that I can think of. But there's always a first time for everything."

They walked in the door shoulder to shoulder. Heads turned and men stared. Joey ignored them,
Seto smirked outrageously.

They took their places at the table Seto had taken as theirs. Food came quickly, family style this
morning. Joey eyed the bowls of oatmeal contemptuously, but took one anyway. The eggs,
bacon, toast and tea were divided equally, Seto ignored the jelly so Joey took it all.

It didn't take them more than ten minutes to down all the food. Joey leaned back in his chair with
his tea.

"We should take at least twenty minutes rest before we run. You'll puke otherwise."

Seto blew on his fresh tea. "Doubt that. But you're right, too much stress on the body isn't good.
I don't like running too soon after a meal. I always feel logy. We should head for the track. It's a
short walk but that'll set us up for a good run."

"Soon as I finish my tea." Joey turned his head just in time to see a man flip a chair around to sit
a straddle of the seat with his arms across the back. "And you are?"

"Not your concern. Why don't you go ... do something useful." The man turned his shoulder to
Joey. Joey just looked at Seto for a clue as to what he should do.

"Joey, we need to be going. If we're going to run, I'd like to get it over with before the salesman
from Armani gets here. I don't want to be sweaty when we're measured. You coming?"

Joey put down his tea and levered himself up with one hand on the table. "Sure. Right behind
you."

The man grabbed Seto's arm. "Look. You don't want to do that. Send your toy away so we can
talk."

Seto just looked at Joey. "He's holding me. I don't like it. Why don't you show him what kind of
toy you are?"

Joey just took the man's hand away from Seto's arm. The sharp crack of his finger breaking was
hidden by his cry of pain. "Oops! Sorry, don't know my own strength. Kaiba-kun doesn't like
being touched by strangers. Remember that."

The man, whose name they were never to know, whimpered softly, holding his hand against his
chest.

"We better get going. If we want to have the small track to ourselves, that is."

"You're inhuman." Joey eyed the man for a moment, then turned his head. "Don't you care?"

"No." Joey's cold glance skipped over the man then drifted to the door. "Come on, Seto-dono."

Seto snickered at the exaggerated, old-fashioned form of address. "Dono? My aren't we
gracious."

"No." Seto gave up. When Joey got monosyllabic he was really upset. They'd talk about it when
Joey was sure that they wouldn't be overheard and not before.

They were jogging around the small clay covered track, on their third lap, before Joey spoke
again.

"I'm not sure that was the right move but I just hate it when someone touches you. Makes me
want to break more than a finger."

Seto jogged for a moment. "I think it was the right move. Some of those men aren't above a little
physical intimidation. I'll find out who he serves and ... annoy them a bit. Maybe cut off some
supplies to their business. You sure the guy wasn't yakuza?"

"Positive. No Yak would send someone to touch my property. They all know better. How many
laps?"

"Ten?" Joey nodded. "Well, we're on three, coming up on four. Another twenty minutes?"

Joey nodded. "Probably. Wish I had a watch. Broke mine a while ago, and this place doesn't
have a clock in sight. What's with that?"

"No idea. I'll make sure that you get a good watch while we're at it."

They finished their jog with plenty of time to get ready. They ran back to the building, laughing.

The admonishment to Stop running in the halls.' made both of them laugh rather hysterically.

.

They had finished their showers and were sitting in the living room when someone stuck their
head in the door. "Excuse me. Kaiba?"

"Yes. Please come in." Seto lounged back in the chair he was sitting in. The man removed his
head and opened the door all the way. He pulled a heavy trunk on wheels into the room and
walked back out the door.

The next person to enter the room nearly made Joey laugh. He was the epitome of a flaming
queen' and made no excuses.

"Well, who's the pretty boy I'm going to dress. Seto, dear, I know it isn't you. You've got more
clothes than I do and that's saying something. If you want anything it better be a special."

Seto did laugh, in a friendly manner. "No. Joey ... stand up." Joey stood. "See him? He's
gorgeous. But, as you can see, his clothing is a crime and a sin. Fix it."

"But of course. Let me see him. Stand!" Joey just stood up. "Oh, my lord. He's a god. A miracle.
Heavens, look at ... oh, dear, I'm drooling. Darling, you have made Francois drool."

Joey blinked once then raised an eye brow at Seto. Seto just shrugged. "He's very particular. And
very ... opinionated. Trust him."

Joey nodded. "Ok. Measure?"

Francois produced a tape from his pocket and said, "Strip, beautiful. I need to see that glorious
bod."

Joey just pealed off the clean sweats provided by Seto. "This is the last of the clean sweats. I'll
need something today or I'm reduced to that yukata again."

Francois waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry. I'll have you something by early afternoon. We
can manage off the rack for you. But I'm going to take excessive measurements so that anything
we make will fit perfectly. And ... I'll tell you right now that I have exactly what you should wear
in mind. If you have suggestions, I'll consider them."

Seto hid his snickers behind a hand. Joey just shrugged.

He stood in his briefs and let Francois get very personal with him. He wondered what the man
was going to do with some of the measurements but let it go, Seto's evident amusement made
him roll his eyes.

Francois settled in one of the chairs and motioned to Joey to get dressed. He did and took the
other chair.

"Now. You've got wonderful coloring. That hair ... I'd kill for that color, if it was natural. And
yours is. I hate you, did you know?" Joey snickered, Francois' waggling eyebrows took the sting
out of his words. "And your eyes. My, my ... so, greens and browns. No tans though, or that
awful putty color that seems to be in this season. Jewel tones and black. I'd love to see you in
chocolate and bronze. Leather, oh, my, yes. And silk shirts."

Joey announced suddenly. "And a cashmere sweater."

"Several, I think ... Seto? Any suggestions?"

"Not really. Only that I expect the bill to be six figures ... at least. And make sure the tux is silk."

Francois nodded. "What else?" He stood and opened the trunk, pulling out swatches of material
and holding them up to Joey's face. He fiddled for a while, making notes in a notebook. Joey
pointed to a few colors that he really liked, Francois only shook his head at one, saying it was too
dull. He tossed his swatches back into the trunk and closed it. "I'll be on my way now. Under
things?"

"Silk."

"I'm gone then. Good-bye."

Francois flipped his notebook closed and left. His assistant came in and took the trunk away.

Seto glanced at his watch and tapped a finger on the chair arm. "The next group should be here in
ten minutes. Ready?"

Joey cracked his knuckles and eyed Seto over his clasped hands. "Always. What's next?"

"Jewelry and leather. Wallet, card case, that sort of thing."

Just then another knock on the door distracted them. Seto called, come in.' and a small, fussy
man scurried in. He carried a small suit case of aluminum with a lock on it.

"I came as soon as I got your appointment. I hope I brought something that is to your taste."

He opened the case and Joey's eyes popped. It was full of jewelry and leather goods.

Seto eyed the things and shook his head. "The shark skin wallet, nothing else is appropriate. Who
do you think you are? You don't bring me things like that. I'm insulted."

The fussy man cringed. "I was told the things were for your companion. I didn't think ...'

Seto sneered, and ugly expression that made the man cringe even more. "That's right. You didn't
think. My companion is as dear to me as Mokuba. Do you dare imagine that I'd skimp on
belongings for him? Idiot. Go away."

Joey just waited until the man was gone to ask, "What was the problem. Some of that stuff
looked really nice."

"It looked like yakuza junk. All big, hollow links and glitz. Not the sort of thing I want for you.
You want to make the right impression you don't look like a yakuza flunky. Understand?"

Joey rubbed his cheek. "Not really. Oh, I understand that you don't want me to look like a thug.
But some of that jewelry was really nice. So, no, I don't get it."

Seto dropped his elbows to the arms of the chair, steepled his fingers in front of his face and
thought. Then he explained, "There's a big difference between a really nice 18ct gold chain and a
clunky 12ct gold one. You wear the one, you're a prince, you wear the other and you're a thug.
Other thugs won't know but a ... certain type of person will. I'm that type of person. And I want
you to look like you belong with me. Ok?"

Joey just nodded. "I think I understand. Understated but expensive. Not gaudy. Platinum thread
not sterling silver hawser. Right?"

Seto brightened. "Exactly."

"Ok, I see, but I really want a certain necklace, if we can find it. I'll pick it out, but you have last
approval. Please?"

Seto nodded. "Whatever you want, lover." There was another knock on the door. "Here's
someone. I hope they have something nice."

The door opened to admit a slender, elderly man and a young woman. She carried a good sized
case of leather with brass corners. It looked heavy but she carried it easily.

Joey stood up and took the case, putting it on the coffee table, he sat back down. When it was
opened Seto nodded his satisfaction.

"Much better. The last person brought nothing that was acceptable. This looks more like what I
had in mind."

Joey fished through the top tray, not finding what he wanted he lifted it out and set it aside. The
next tray was full of diamond cut chains in Bismark, Anchor and rope styles. Seto watched as
Joey studied several chains.

"I like all of these. Pick one."

Seto eyed the chains, they were all a bit bigger than he thought truly elegant. "They're all a bit
big."

Joey shrugged. "Won't look bad in a twenty-two-inch chain."

Seto blinked. Twenty-two inches would put the chain right at the base of Joey's neck, with very
little room. "That's a bit tight, isn't it?"

The jeweler picked up a very plain necklace. "Here's a twenty-two-inch chain. Try it on for
length. I'm not sure that you'll find it comfortable."

Joey fastened the necklace on, letting it settled around his neck. It rested just at the base of his
neck right over his collarbones. "It's good. I won't be wearing it while I'm fighting, or working
out. I'll just ruin a good chain that way. So the length is just right. Won't choke me if I cough or
sneeze but no one can ignore it unless I wear a turtleneck. And I don't like those much."

Seto caught the look that passed between the man and the lady. He decided to let Joey have his
way and ask about it later.

"Which one do you like the best?"

Joey picked up a chain that looked like an anchor chain for a boat, only much smaller. "This one.
It's called a barred anchor chain. I like the weight of it. And it's sturdy enough that I won't break
it."

The jeweler smiled. "It's platinum and iridium, the most common alloy. You probably won't
scratch or break it even if you tried. It's extremely sturdy. Allow me." He took the chain up and
walked around behind Joey to fasten it on. It was a bit shorter than the twenty-two inch so it was
tight.

Seto shook his head. "I don't like it. It's too short for one thing and it's too ... plain for another.
Joey, what the hell is in your head. If I knew, I could help you pick."

"The boy wants a promise chain. Um ... I'm sure we can find something appropriate."

Seto blinked once. A promise chain?' Seto had never considered such a thing. Very few people
in Japan had ever heard of such a thing. It was somewhat like the American promise ring, but
only gay men did such a thing.

"Joey? Are you sure?"

Joey flushed. "I'm sure. But I didn't think about what you might like. I'm sorry. Do you dislike
the idea?"

Seto grinned at Joey, making him look his age. "No, I like it. I think it's fantastic. But since I'm
giving it to you, I get to pick. Sit."

Joey plopped down on the couch. He eyed the chain he'd picked and thought it looked good,
slender enough not to be in your face' but big enough to let people know it was there.

Seto, now realizing that this was more important than anything else in a long time, spent several
minutes looking at chains. He finally found exactly what he wanted.

"This one. It's just right." Seto picked up the chain which was composed of two diamond cut
rope chains twisted together. One was gold, the other platinum. Seto picked it up and eyed it. He
fastened it around Joey's neck where it settled just right at the base of Joey's neck tracing his
collarbone. Joey looked up at Seto. Seto just turned to the jeweler and said, "I'll take it." He also
pointed to a watch. "And that."

The jeweler nodded and closed the case. "Anything else?"

Seto pointed at a wallet, card case and belt. "Those."

Joey eyed the things with interest. They seemed to be made of stingray skin, dyed dark golden
brown. He picked up the wallet and card case to examine them. He was startled to feel someone
fumbling at his waist, trying to lace the belt into his sweats. "Sorry. No belt loops. Just put it on
the coffee table." The girl stepped away, blushing slightly.

The two jewelers packed up their stuff and left.

Joey touched the necklace with fingers that shook slightly.

"Do you really like it?" Joey nodded, gazing at Seto. "That's good. I think it looks really good on
you."

"No one has ever given me something I wanted this much before. I've always had to earn it.
Thank you."

"You earned that. By caring for me. It does make a difference doesn't it?" Seto gave Joey a rather
sappy smile. Joey smiled back.

.

Joey's clothing arrived just in time for supper. Seto watched as Joey unpacked the things
admiring the way he moved. Joey just put things away, never thinking that Seto would want to
watch him put up clothing.

Seto stopped Joey from putting up a pair of dark green trousers, a bronze silk shirt and a dark
chocolate brown jacket. "Wear that, you'll look very distinguished, without looking over done.
These people have the bad habit of thinking that wearing a tux makes them look more ...
powerful. Financially speaking."

"And this makes me look more powerful ... how?"

Seto smirked. "That jacket cost $2000 and the pants cost $600, silk shirts of that quality usually
go for around $300. Add in shoes and cufflinks, not to mention that necklace and the watch and
you're wearing the financial equivalent of an Armani tux. And you don't look like you're rubbing
it in. That's the trick. If I want to rub someone's nose in my wealth, there's more ways than
smacking them in the face with a bag of gold. See?"

Joey did. He smiled softly at Seto. "In other words, they look like ... the equivalent of knee
breakers and we look like the real deal."

"Exactly."

"So, no tux?" Seto grinned and shook his head. "Does this coat really cost two thousand
dollars?" Seto nodded. "Man. That's wild. You sure?" Seto kissed Joey's cheek. "Fine. Let's go
show them how it's done."

Seto led Joey to his bedroom and started dressing. "See, ostentation for the sake of subjugation
can backfire on you really quickly. Mine is more expensive than yours doesn't take long to get
ridiculously expensive. Foolish, if you will. But mine is finer than yours, in a quietly understated
way, never will. Quality of workmanship, more than raw expense."

Joey eyed Seto's clothing for a moment. "Ok, let me see if I can guess." Seto struck a pose of
casual elegance and waited. "Well, for one. I've never seen anyone who could just stand around
and look ... intimidating and cool at the same time." Seto raised an eyebrow. "See? And ...
humm... trousers are wool. $400 bucks?" Seto nodded. "Silk socks with Gucci loafers. Socks,
$60 a pair. Loafers, $300. The shirt about the same as mine. And that jacket had to cost at least
3K."

Seto's smile lit up his face in a way that made Joey grin back. "You got them all right. See?
You're a lot more cultured than you know. Like fine jade, you just need a little more polish.
We'll go to the dinning room now."

.
Joey looked around the room carefully, noting who looked then turned away and who just stared.
Most of the yakuza just glanced at him, smiled and turned back to their conversations. Many of
the other men glared then looked away. A few just sneered, these were the one's that were going
to be trouble. Joey marked them knowing that Seto was doing the same.

Seto did the same thing that Joey had done, he marked the same people that Joey did, but took
different action. He glared right back at them looked each one of them down until they looked
away.

"Seto? You sure that was wise? You're making us a lot of enemies. But you are amusing most of
the oyabun."

Seto shrugged and led the way to their table, saying, "They're our enemies no matter what we do.
We might as well let them know we know it. Wonder what's for supper. I'm really hungry. I've
gotten out of the habit of eating at seven, or later."

Joey dropped his napkin into his lap. "I'm hungry too. But, we could get ourselves a little stash
of snacks. Be nice to have tea and pocky about three or so."

Seto considered this for a moment. "We'll have to see. Maybe Mo' will send us a care package.
I'll ask him."

Joey leaned back to allow the waiter to put his plate in front of him, he eyed the contents with a
disgusted expression. Seto sighed softly, like Joey, his plate contained a slice of roast, mashed
potatoes, green peas and gravy. Very American, which was in style just now, and not well
cooked. Seto's eyes met Joey's, they both liked it much better on the days they could order for
themselves.

Joey waved his hand at the plate. "What the hell is this mess? And don't tell me American is in
style just now. I've waited tables before and I know better. This isn't in style. It's just barely
edible. Take it away."

The waiter glanced at Seto who just snorted and gave him the cold shoulder. "Not acceptable."

"Well, what do you want? If you want something special, you have to ask for it a day in
advance."

Joey just announced, "Bring me some sliced beef, tofu, three kinds of mushrooms, onions sliced
the long way, soba noodles, soy, mirin, beef stock ... Seto?"

"Saki, too. This sounds good. What are you making?"

"Just something I learned to make when I was little. It's good."

"I'm sure. At least it's fresh."

The waiter brought the requested items quickly along with a sukiyaki pan heated over a Sterno
can.

Joey seared the meat then added everything else to the pan, poured in the saki, mirin and soy
sauce. He set the cover on the pan then settled back.

"There! That's it until the veggies are soft. Tea?" Joey lifted the pot and was startled when
someone snatched it out of his hand. He realized that he should have been paying much more
attention to his surroundings.

Seto glanced over Joey's shoulder and gave the offender a scowl that had cowed braver men than
he. The man stood holding the teapot with a grimace on his face.

"You shouldn't let that ... that ... person wait on you. You should have someone ... more worthy
do it. I'll be happy to serve you in anyway."

Seto just folded his napkin and put it on the table. "I see. You think you're worthy to serve me."
He walked around the table and stood behind the man. "Will you love me? Let me use you? Will
you cry for me, bleed for me, die for me? Huuummm? Or will you scuttle back under the rock
you crawled out from under the minute times get hard?" The man stood shaking as Seto's
questions dropped into the air like glittering shards of ice. Seto turned to Joey. "Or will you offer
me anything I ask for, anytime I ask for it? Like Joey."

Joey stood and turned to look at Seto. "He doesn't have the nerve. Ask, and it's yours."

Seto didn't look at Joey. He looked around the room, at all the men who scorned Joey for being
born poor, for being less educated than they. "Yubitsumi."

There were gasps from every corner of the room. No one asked for a yubitsume as proof of
loyalty before an offence. Joey picked up a napkin, spread it on the table and picked up a steak
knife from the table next to theirs. He put his left hand on the table and raised the knife. He was
going to have to strike fast and hard to cut off a finger with such a dull knife.

Just as Joey got the knife about the middle of the swing Seto snapped, "STOP!" Joey stabbed the
knife into the table instead of his hand. The blade penetrated nearly half its length.

Seto looked the room over slowly. "The next man who scorns him in anyway will meet me in the
gym. Understood?" He turned from the nodding heads to take care of Joey.

Joey was sitting at their table, head bowed. "Man, that was close. Don't do that to me again,
please." Joey pressed his hands against his thighs to stop them trembling.

Seto motioned to the waiter. "Crown Royal. And don't give me shit."

The waiter brought a double highball glass half full of golden liquid. Joey took it and bolted half
of it in one gulp. Seto lifted the lid of the undisturbed pot on the table.

"I think this is done. I'll serve, shall I?" Joey nodded, finished off his drink and leaned back in
his chair. Seto served him half the casserole and a bowl of rice. He took the rest of the casserole
for himself.

They ate in silence, Seto looking grim, Joey tired. The whispering around them continued long
after they'd left.

.

They managed to keep up appearances until the door to their quarters closed.

"Joey, I'm sorry. I know it was hard. Please, forgive me." Seto turned into Joey's chest and
tugged him into an embrace.

Joey put his arms around Seto's waist and settled into the hug. "That's ok. I understand. I knew
you had a way out of it. Just ... next time, I'd really appreciated some warning."

"There won't be a next time. Word will get around, even in my circles. We won't have much
trouble after that. I hope."

Joey just sighed and snuggled closer. It seemed strange but, although Seto was uke, he was the
taller of the two. "Never mind now. Just take me to bed. I'm exhausted."

"And a little drunk, I think."

"Had food. But I'll admit that that stuff kinda went to my head."

"And I really think you need another. You're still shaking." Seto kissed Joey gently on the
forehead. "Lover, I'm so sorry. I ... didn't expect you to go that far. You scared the shit out of
me."

"I was scared too. But you really stopped me just in time."

"I thought I was too late. I turned my head and the next thing I knew the knife was half way
down." Seto gave a shuddering sigh. "Well, at least it was dramatic. Too damn dramatic. I need a
vacation."

Joey pulled out of Seto's arms, against an instinctive clutch by Seto. He went to investigate the
small wet bar against one wall.

"Not much here. There's a few of those airline bottles of stuff. Some scotch, Canadian whiskey,
vodka, some rum. What do you want?"

"Whiskey-soda, please. Double. But you sit down and I'll make it. You've done enough for one
day. What do you want?" Seto took Joey's place behind the bar and mixed his drink. Joey just
shrugged so Seto mixed him the same.

They settled in their easy chairs and silently worked on their drinks.

A knock on the door made Seto snarl, Joey just sighed a bit wearily and started to get up to
answer it. Seto waved him back down.

"Come in."

The door opened to admit the warden and one guard. The warden nodded to the guard, who left.
Seto relaxed, Joey did not. The guard could still be in the hall with who knew how many others.

"I heard that there was a bit of a ... disturbance in the dinning room. I trust that, whatever you
were proving, that will be the last display of that sort. Ever. We, by that I mean the
Administration, don't approve of such things. It upsets too many people." He turned to look at
Joey, who gazed back blandly. "Would you like to see a physician?"

Joey just held up his hand and shook his head. "No damage done. Thank you for the offer."

"Very well. I'll leave you two in peace then. Remember, no more of that. Sleep well." The
warden got up and walked out.

Joey gazed at Seto for a moment then set his glass on the table. "I think I need another. If you
would, please." Seto just got up and mixed.

Joey drank his second whisky-soda much slower than the first. They talked about this and that
while they finished their drinks. Joey decided that he wanted a real workout tomorrow, Seto
agreed to that. Seto grumbled that there was no skeet shooting available.

Joey choked on his drink at that. "Skeet shooting? In a prison? Are you nuts? Who the hell in
their right mind would allow a bunch of cons to have guns? Hell on wheels, Kaiba."

Seto had to snicker again. "Seto-dono, if you please." He stuck his nose in the air.

Joey snorted. "Seto-KUN, you are drunk."

" F I am, so are you."

"Am I denying it?"

They settled into silence again.

.
Seto woke first, hung over and cranky. Joey woke shortly after him, hung over and sullen. They
made a wonderful pair, snarling at each other then apologizing.

They made it to breakfast, properly dressed and shaven, barely.

Seto eyed the eggs on his plate with disgust, buttered toast and poured tea. Joey, on the other
hand, ate his eggs, bacon and oatmeal and Seto's too. He drank three cups of tea to Seto's one
and finally sat back with a groan.

"My head still feels like it's gonna fall off. Man, I think the real thing is worse than hooch."

Seto smirked over the top of his paper. "Should have had that aspirin when I offered."

Joey gave Seto a bleary, confused look. "When did you offer aspirin?"

"When you were shaving. You snarled at me."

"Well ... um ... sorry. Tea?"

Seto put down his paper, took the offered tea and grumbled. They were due in the gym in twenty
minutes. He was going to work on strength training and try to sweat out some of the toxins his
body was punishing him for.

Joey ignored the grumble and drank more tea. He was feeling dehydrated and knew that he was
only going to sweat like a pig while he exercised. He decided to ask for a sports drink before he
started his routine. Paul was sure to have some.

.

Paul did have sports drinks but he insisted that Joey and Seto dilute them by half, explaining that
they really didn't need the salts, just the liquid.

"You guys are lucky. Most prisoners that get drunk get put on report. That means no dinning hall,
exercise room, or phone privileges for a week. I heard what went on though. I bet the warden is
just glad that there wasn't a real fight. Oh, and you two be careful, there's a few here that think
they're really tough. Picked on a couple of the others, really put the rest of the population on
guard."

Joey looked at Seto who just snorted and finished his drink.

Both men got ready to workout and settled at their respective machines, side by side. Joey paced
himself, a rapid pace that soon had him sweating. Seto followed at a more leisurely pace, but he
was soon sweating too.

They both worked out vigorously for more than forty-five minutes then headed for the track. The
jog was to be their first on the cross country track, so they took Paul with them.

Joey's legs were longer than Paul's, and Seto's even longer. He kept up on the first lap, in fact
both Seto and Joey followed him, being unacquainted with the track. The second lap he struggled
to keep up as they set a killing pace. The third one, he gave up and just monitored them from the
track side.

Most of the populace gathered, quite discretely, to watch. Joey's show in the dinning room had
set off alarms in various quarters. The yakuza just sat back to be entertained, they weren't
messing with the combined power of Kaiba and Katsuya. It was somewhat like sticking your
hand in a power chipper.

As they jogged, Seto and Joey talked.

"Joey, we've got a lot of time to kill, what are we going to do with it?"

"I'm going to see if I can't get some painting done. I haven't been able to paint in way, way too
long. Didn't have materials, what with Pop selling everything, then . . . well, paint in there? Not
a chance. Now ... um ... will you spot me the stuff?"

"Joey, don't even ask, just tell me what you want. You'll have it."

Joey laughed a bit then said, "If you laugh, I'll tickle you to death."

Seto pointed to himself. "Who me?"

Joey put on some speed. "I paint sumi-e. Or used to. Teacher said I had promise. You never
would have thought it, would you?"

Seto thought about that while he caught up. "Not really. But I'd like to see some of your work."

"Pop sold it all. Got decent money for it too. Then he sold my brushes and stuff too. Idiot. But
what could I do?"

"Not much. Did he really beat you?"

Joey shrugged irritably. "Yeah, mostly when he got drunk. That's why I don't believe they
actually sent me up the river. I was defending myself from another beating. It just all got to be
too much."

"Violent offender sentence? For defending yourself? That's ... outrageous. Ridiculous. You'll
have to tell the lawyers all about it, now that we have time to deal with it. I was really more
interested in getting us here than anything else."

Joey slowed down, Seto was beginning to puff. "Well, now that we're here instead of there, we
have time to deal with other stuff. Can I have some colors too?"

"Joey, you can have anything you want. I'll just send to an art store and have them make up a
studio for you. How many brushes do you want?"

Joey laughed in delight. "I've been coveting this one set. It's really nice. But it's expensive. Even
for you."

"Oh, it costs around ten thousand dollars? That's a bit pricy, I'll admit."

Joey tripped and nearly fell. "You're joking. I've never seen a set that expensive. The set I'm
looking at has twenty brushes for about four hundred dollars. And I need weights and felt and ..."

Seto snorted. "Don't bother telling me what you need, I'll forget in about three minutes. I'll just
call the art store and tell them to send a set, like I said before. If you don't like something, either
send it back or throw it away. Now, wind sprint . . . GO!"

Joey beat Seto to the end of the track by about ten feet. They stood panting for a few moments
until Paul reminded them to keep moving for a while or they'd stiffen up.

Joey started a stretching routine to help him cool off. Seto walked about, swinging his arms.
Somehow they started a tai chi routine called pushing, in which Joey, as leader, started a routine
of attacks and counters which Seto replied' to with a matching routine of defenses and attacks.
All of this carefully choreographed over centuries of use. It looked very like some sort of formal
dance routine.

Joey called a halt after fifteen minutes. "We're not getting cooled off doing this. We need to walk
back to the gym, then on to our quarters. I need a shower." He leaned over and sniffed, rather
pointedly. "And so do you. Yick."

"And yick to you too. Come on."

The trot back to the gym passed several small groups of men, all of whom followed them with
their eyes. Most of the groups avoided staring very carefully. Both Seto and Joey noticed, neither
of them said anything.

.

They showered quickly after a quick glance at the clock said lunch was to be served within the
hour. Dressing was easy, sweats would do.

They made their way through extraordinarily quiet halls. Most of the time someone was talking,
in a quietly cultured voice to be sure, but the tile walls echoed, now the second they came in sight
everyone stopped talking.

There was some muttering after they passed, along the lines of arrogant, stuck up, self-centered,
but no one had the nerve to say anything to their faces.

Both men noticed the difference in the atmosphere of the lunch, but neither of them could figure
out quite what the difference was. Joey shivered once.

"You ok?"

"Cold chill. Something's going to happen. Something not good. Be ready."

"You know what? Or from where?" Seto sneaked a peek at the yakuza.

"Don't know. Not from the oyabun, I can tell you that. There's been no warning. They'd give
one. Would your sort give some kind of warning?"

Seto thought about that while he chewed his noodles. "Maybe. Maybe not. In here? Probably get
some sort of signal. We better keep an eye out."

"Warden warned us about another show. But ... everyone's interested in everything we do. Why's
that?"

"Boredom. There's no parties, no paper work, no buy and sell. So they watch everyone, the
guards, each other. Probably drive each other nuts. I know they're getting on my nerves."

"Mine too. Wonder how they'll take us working out together. We need a good match.
Tomorrow?"

Seto nodded. "And I think Mokuba is going to visit soon too."

"And that lawyer?"

"Maybe."

.

The next few days were crowded with activities. They found out that they couldn't have even a
match without the wardens express permission, which he wasn't giving yet. Joey thanked
whoever looked out for him that they'd asked Paul before they'd started their fight. He didn't
want to be on restriction.

Seto paced a lot, spent an enormous amount of time on the phone and on his computer. He found
that his lawyers had sent in all the proper paper work, before his sentencing, to get him a fine and
a suspended sentence. The judge just happened to be one who'd suffered from insider trading and
took special pleasure in sentencing traders heavily. Appeals were being submitted for
consideration by other judges and the supreme court.

Seto had also called the art store, as promised. Two days after their first jog, an art set was
delivered. It contained everything Joey could possibly want, including a table. The first time he'd
set it up the guards had insisted on examining everything carefully. He'd braced himself to see
half of it destroyed but two young guards had sent for an older man who'd respectfully examined
every brush, ink stick and grinding stone. He'd carefully unrolled the rolls of paper then rolled
them back up. He'd wrinkled his nose at the flannel and said that it needed washing at least four
more times. Joey had been relieved that his supplies hadn't been damaged. He'd asked the older
man if he'd like to watch.

The man had introduced himself as Akihito Yoshida and admitted that he'd like to watch Joey.

A crowd gathered as Joey'd had to set his table up in the small garden terrace complex outside
their quarters. There wasn't room for the folding table in their living room. Seto leaned against
the door frame to watch too.

Joey filled his water dishes at the sink in one of their bathrooms and also filled a small pitcher
with extra water. He folded his small towel, laid out the flannel under sheet and started to work.

A soft, sneering voice broke the respectful silence. "Thinks he's a real artist, this I gotta see." He
was shushed vigorously from several sides and got a pinch from an older yakuza who then
moved away.

Joey just ignored the comment and concentrated on his task. He tore off a piece of paper and put
it out on the flannel, weighted it down with two long brass weights and set out the brush he was
going to use.

He used a small bamboo dipper to drizzle some water on his grinding stone then picked up his
ink stick. He unwrapped it and took a moment to smell it. It was pine soot and very good. He
dipped the stick in the water and just held it for a few moments, thinking about the grinding and
letting the water soften the ink a bit. As he ground the ink he thought about what he wanted to
paint, it took a minute to work up enough ink for his painting.

After he was done he carefully put the ink stick on a small mat to dry before he put it away. He
couldn't understand the attitude of some artists to their ink.

After checking the ink for smoothness and consistency, Joey wet his brush and started painting.
He'd decided to paint a pine branch, the smell of the ink brought a vision of what he wanted to
paint into his mind. With a few quick brush strokes, he produced a beautiful image of a nearly
bare pine branch with one lonely pinecone on it. He signed it then sighed. He didn't have a hanko
or any mood seals. It would have to do.

He looked up when he realized that he was standing in total silence. Everyone was just standing,
staring at his work. He glanced back at it wondering what was wrong. He looked up again to see
a man examining his work with a critical eye.

"That's very good. Would you be kind enough to do another? A shame you don't have a hanko
and some nice mood seals. But they can be put on later. Nice signature. Very elegant."

Joey blushed, ducking his head. "I've never been able to afford many seals. I had a few common
ones but they were sold. Maybe I can get some later. Seto will buy me a couple."

"Of course. Perhaps you could do some bamboo? That's always a nice subject."

Joey glanced at his ink supply then tore off another piece of paper. He quickly painted one stalk
of bamboo and a small spray of leaves. It was a beautiful, simple painting. The man smiled his
approval.

"I'd like to buy both of those. I'll stamp them myself. I'd advise you to get stamps as soon as you
can. Oh, excuse me. In my excitement I forgot to introduce myself. Suzuki Taro. I'm an art critic
and gallery owner. That's how I wound up in here. Taxes are so confusing but that's no excuse.
So ... here I am."

Joey bowed a bit. He'd heard of this man and his troubles. "I'm so sorry for your troubles.
Please, count on me for ... help, if you need it."

Suzuki-san looked a bit confused but thanked Joey politely then took his leave.

"Well, that went well. I'll help you put stuff up. It's getting a bit late for painting. The light is
going."

"Thanks ... Seto? I really need those seals. Can you loan me some money?"

"I'll buy you a shop full of seals if you want them. I've already ordered you several hanko.
Different sizes and styles, to match your works. And don't say a word. I'm enjoying this a lot.
Never thought you'd be more than a dabbler but you're really good. I'll be your sponsor." Joey
opened his mouth to object but Seto just told him to shut up and help him put things away.

.

Two days after the painting incident, Joey was working again. This time there was trouble that no
one would have expected. Three business men came up to Joey with a suggestion that he ignored,
or tried to.

"Look, we don't care if you're fucking Kaiba or what. Street trash like you puts out. Everyone
knows that. So, unless you want to get hurt, you'll bend over nicely. We'll even see that you have
someplace to go when Kaiba gets bored of you."

Joey started cleaning up by pouring his waste water out. All over one man's shoes. "I'm not a
slut or a whore. You can't intimidate me or buy me. Go away."

The man whose shoes had been ruined grabbed at Joey. He just ducked the grab and finished
putting away his things. He shoved the storage box out of the way and waited. Seto, hearing the
noise, came to the door to see what was going on. When Joey dodged another grab he punched
the panic button in the nearby wall.

The button signaled when there was trouble in quarters. It was usually used for heart attacks and
that sort of thing, so it not only summoned guards but the on duty doctor as well. The prison had
actually never had one activated for a fight before.

The guards rushed in just in time to see one man grab Joey by the arm and another make a snatch
at his hair. Neither one managed to get a good grip on Joey, to their dismay. Joey turned on them
like a tiger. His quick fists made short work of all three of them. One punch to the head put the
leader down for the count. A kick to the groin and the man with a handful of hair was holding
himself and squealing like a pig. The third man actually had the nerve to pull an X-acto knife on
Joey.

"Oh, please. You cut me with that and I'll take it away from you and cut you bad, deep and
often."

The man waved it at Joey. "I have a knife. I'll cut you. I swear."

Joey just shook his head sadly. "No, you won't. You can't get to me ... oh, and the guards are
here." Joey bowed to the guards and walked over to Seto, turning his back on the man in the
process. He didn't turn back when he heard the sharp crackle of a Taser. He just grinned at Seto
and muttered, "That'll show im."

Seto dragged Joey into his arms and kissed him hard then he pushed him away and examined him
carefully. "If one of those bastards has done so much as scratch you, I'll have his head. Especially
that last guy."

Joey just let Seto get his fretting over. "They'll all be really sorry. I bet they get transferred real
quick. I just hope I'm not in too much trouble. Fighting's not allowed, remember?"

A guard approached them, trailed by the doctor, both men moving quietly into sight before
speaking to them.

"Excuse me. We need to look Katsuya-san over. Is he hurt at all?"

Joey turned to let the doctor see him. "I bust a knuckle. It's ok, just skinned a bit."

The doctor examined his hand quickly. "It's not bad. I'll just pour some peroxide over it and
stick on a bandage. Just for safety's sake. I'll prescribe a tranquilizer because it's procedure but
it's up to you if you want to take it or not. I'd recommend not myself." The doctor suited action
to words and left, scribbling on a PDA as he went.

Seto took Joey into their quarters and made him sit on the couch. He wrapped an afghan around
his shoulders and put the kettle on for tea. He also made sure that all Joey's art and supplies
hadn't been damaged in the conflict. While he was doing that Suzuki-san asked if Joey was hurt.

Seto sighed and rubbed his face. "No, but he could have been. I thought we'd be safer here. This
is ridiculous. When I get out of here, I'm having my lawyers look into several things. Including
how Joey got the sentence he did for defending himself . . . um ... I'm sorry, can I help you."
Seto managed to stifle his urge to freeze the man, he obviously had something on his mind and
Joey liked him.

"Yes, I'd like to ask that, once Katsuya-san has calmed down, could he paint a few more things?
I want to send them to my partner. There's no real hurry, but within two or three weeks would be
very nice. Thank you. And tell the young man I'm very glad he wasn't hurt." Suzuki bowed and
hurried away. Seto watched him go with a dim glimmer of an idea at the back of his mind.

Joey called him to tell him that the kettle was on the boil so he hurried in before the water was
too hot.

"What did Suzuki-san want?"

Seto poured the water. "More pictures. How many can you get done in two weeks?"

Joey accepted the mug of tea with a sigh. "Depends on how much time I can spend painting. And
I'd really rather set up somewhere I don't have to break down to keep the dew off."

"I'll see what can be done. And you shouldn't neglect your exercise routine either. That's not
really good for you."

Joey nodded. "I know. Hunching over a painting for hours can really do a number on your back."
He sipped his tea. "Mmmmm, good tea. I really needed that. It's a real bitch when someone just
jumps a guy like that. They thought I was your honey boy. They wanted some too."

Seto's face darkened with fury, Joey was not a honey boy, a paid companion, he was much more
than that. Seto wondered if he was going to pass out for a second. Joey's voice brought him back
to himself.

"An' if you t'ink for one damn minute I'm gonna put up wit' dat, you're nuts." Seto started
laughing. "What!?"

"I always know when you're really upset. You talk like street trash." Joey's face fell. "Oh, don't!
It's cute. But if you really want to get rid of that, I'll hire coaches. Or not. Because I really don't
care about it one way or the other."

Joey sighed. "Thanks. But how can you not care?"

"Because I don't. I make my own rules, society wise. I'd rather avoid trouble but if I have to, I
can cause a lot of problems for some very influential people. Problems that they'd rather avoid.
I've got some ideas about what we'll do when we get out. And your art falls right into them."
Joey made a face. "Don't do that. Suzuki-san wants more of your art. We can work with that.
You're a lot better than I thought you'd be. You're no dabbler."

"I don't want charity. If I'm good, that's fine. But I'm not living off your coat tails."

Seto shook his head. "No, you're not. I'll make sure you have opportunities. But you've got to
follow up on them yourself. I'll open doors, but I won't pay your way in."

Joey's smile lit up the room. "Ok. I can deal with that. But now ... what about this fight?"

"Don't know. We'll find out as soon as they decide."

Seto and Joey sat, drinking tea and worrying, until the knock on the door announced the warden
and a staff member.

Seto's "Come in." quavered just a tiny bit.

The warden came in and settled in the chair Seto offered, the staff member stood behind him and
to his right.

"Well, that was ... bad. We've never had a situation like that before. What was on their minds?"

Joey explained that they'd thought, due to his lower' station, that he was a honey boy. The
warden's shocked expression told its own story. Then Joey said that they were trying to rape him
and the warden purpled.

"That's outrageous, unconscionable. We do not allow that sort of thing here. You were right to
resist them. The guards saw it all. They attacked you first. They will be sent away as soon as the
paperwork can be completed."

Joey sighed his relief and settled more comfortably on the couch. "Thank you. I'm not fond of
being flogged. And I have two weeks to produce an art show for Suzuki-san. I think."

The warden's face lit up. "Yes, I heard about that. I'd love to see some of your pieces."

Seto pulled the three he considered Joey's best out of the portfolio and held them up, saying that
they needed to be mounted properly.

The warden floored them all by saying, "Yes, yes, very nice. Excellent work. My grandfather
would love to see these. Would it be alright if I invited him to view your works? He's retired
now but he was the best mounter in the country at one time. He gave it up a while ago, saying
that the art was just too awful to look at. But I think he might like to see this."

Joey shrugged, "Who's your grandfather? Pardon my inquisitiveness."

"Masahito Akira. I am named after him."

Joey glanced at Seto. Seto just stood and bowed. "We'd be pleased to have him see Joey's work.
Anytime he wants to come is fine."

The warden got up, bowed and left. Joey just sat there with a slightly stunned expression on his
face.

.

Word got around quickly that not only was Joey not a honey boy but he was no one to be messed
with. The yakuza got a good laugh out of the way the hardened' criminals jumped out of his
way. He got a good laugh out of it too.

Seto wasn't best pleased with it until Joey offered to fight him again. This time, he thought that
the warden would approve their match. Joey was right Masahito-sama did.

The day of their match dawned, or rather didn't, it was cloudy and a bit cold for the season. Joey
announced that he was glad they would be fighting inside. He smirked at Seto a bit. It seemed
that the warden was having a bit of trouble with the papers to transfer the three men who'd
attacked him. They were still in solitary, or as they called it here disciplinary seclusion. They
were going to be allowed to view the fight however.

Seto tied the rank belt around his waist and grinned at Joey. Joey tugged the end of his belt and
grinned back. They were of equal rank, something neither one of them had known or cared about.
The warden had found out somehow and given them the belts and a knowing smile.

Joey followed Seto to the middle of the mats and looked around, the gym was filled to the rafters.
The bleachers were pulled out from the wall as far as they would go. Most of the population was
in the gym.

The fight went just about as expected. A guard introduced them to the audience and called the
start of the match.

Joey circled Seto looking for an opening. Seto just turned on his heel keeping his face to Joey.
Joey started an attack, just a motion of his hand. Seto countered by shifting his weight. His
counter led to an attack, a simple lift of a foot. Joey countered by shifting his weight forward and
lifting one shoulder. This went on for several minutes.

Every yakuza in the place was holding their breath. The tension was killing. Nearly every other
person in the gym was spell bound. Most of them had excellent knowledge of the arts, even if
they didn't practice. The tension got so bad that one of the younger guards had to leave to throw
up.

Finally, Seto made a mistake and Joey took him down with a simple hip throw. He dropped Seto
on his back on the mats and flopped down beside him. They were both sweating heavily.

"Match to Katsuya-sama. Excellent match. Thank you, gentlemen." The judge bowed to both
men. Seto got up and pulled Joey to his feet. They bowed to each other then to the judge. The
judge dismissed them and they headed for the showers. Everyone between them and the door got
out of the way, quickly clearing them a wide path.

Seto smirked at Joey. They'd had a bet that they wouldn't have to go to any extremes like they'd
had to do at the other prison. Subtlety really worked here.

"Ok. I owe you. One day, complete service. Make tea, breakfast in bed, the whole deal. Don't
rub it in."

Seto shook his head. "Now would I do that?"

"Yeah."

Seto didn't get his day for quite a while, in fact they didn't manage it until after they got out. Seto
grumbled about that for years.

.

The day after their match, Joey started to paint. The warden had made arrangements for Joey to
use a small meeting room near his office as a studio. All his things were moved there and he
spent the morning arranging them to his liking. He had a little trouble with the lighting but a
small lamp fixed that.

A tap on the door distracted him from his fussing. He was a bit glad for it too. He was beginning
to get obsessive about it and that only distracted him from his art.

"Hello. I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Doesn't matter. I wasn't doing any thing productive anyway. What can I do for you?"

"My grandson asked me to come see your art. I've agreed that, if it's suitable, I'll mount it for
you."

Joey eyed the old man for a moment. He was so old that he was stooped over, leaning on a cane.
Joey decided to humor the old man and let him see the work. If he asked to mount something, he
could always give him some secondary work to see if he did a decent job. Joey was wondering
how he was going to get all his work mounted before the show so this could be a real help.

"Ok, I'll find something. I've got a lot of stuff done and in presses just for safe keeping." Joey
pulled a drawer open and took out several pieces. "Here. This is all secondary stuff but it's a
general idea of what I can do."

Masahito-sama nodded absently, glancing through the different papers. They were all very good,
in fact, if this was secondary work he really wanted to see some of the good stuff. He also knew
that he was not getting his hands on anything else until he proved himself able to mount what
he'd been shown.

"I'd like to mount some of this. If you would let me. I know how protective artists are of their
work. I don't blame you. It's like turning loose of a bit of your soul."

Joey was absently shuffling through some spoiled works and listening at the same time. "Sure.
That's fine. I wonder ... humm... what did you say your name was? I'm so sorry to be rude but,
right now my brain is like a sieve."

"Masahito Akira. I should have introduced myself a little better. My card."

Joey turned to take the man's card, accepting it with both hands. He read it carefully then looked
up in surprise. "You're THE Akira. Oh, my ... would you like tea?" Joey nearly smacked himself
in the head. This man was the best of the best in mounting Sumi-e paintings. He'd retired two or
three years ago saying that there wasn't any art that he wanted to work with. Now he was offering
to mount secondary works? Joey just started making tea, hoping his hands would stop shaking
before he had to pour it.

Masahito-sama smiled to himself, not only was the young man a very good artist, he was modest.
Secondary works, indeed.

"I would like to look at some larger pieces. If you have a truly large piece, I'd like to have the
dimensions now. So that I can be sure to have proper mounting materials on hand, you see."

Joey got the tea set to the table without spilling anything, although he wasn't sure how. He
allowed Masahito-sama to pour, clasping his still shaking hands in his lap.

"I have two fairly large pieces, although I'm not sure you'd call 90cm by 150 cm large. I'd like to
do a really large landscape sometime, but not in here. There's just not enough room."

"I can mount something twice that size with materials on hand. Do you like banner or hanging
style or western framing?"

Joey thought about that for a moment. "I think some pieces would benefit by matting and
framing, but I'd really like some old style mountings as well. I think I'll leave the style of
finishing up to you, unless you'd prefer it to be a mutual work?" Joey's doubtful expression
lightened the old man's heart. One of the reasons he'd retired was that so many of the younger
people had no head for finishing and insisted on their way only. While he knew that it was their
art, mounting was his art and he refused to ruin a nice piece by bad framing or mounting
inappropriately.

"I would be delighted. Wonderful, wonderful. More tea?"

Joey took a second cup although he didn't remember drinking the first. "Thank you. Um ... why
don't I just let you look through what I've got and let you choose what you want to work with.
You're much more experienced than I am with finishing, I'd appreciate your advice greatly. If
you need ... anything, talk to Kaiba Seto. He'll be financing my show."

Masahito-sama brightened visibly. "Ah! You already have a sponsor. That's wonderful! Many
good artists fail for the lack of financial backing. The phrase poor artist isn't just a joke. I will
admit that I was hoping that you had some money. I let my stocks go down considerably. And
good brocade is so expensive now days. And I do love a nice hanging." He took a sip of his tea
and nodded genially at Joey.

Seto walked into the room just then with a plate of snacks. "Oh, Joey, I'm sorry. I didn't know
that you had company. I'll go get more snacks, shall I?"

Joey finally got his head on straight. "Please. That would be very nice, and when you come back
bring your check book. You're going to need it." Joey shook off the last of his confusion. "And,
Masahito-sama, would you please come look through this and see what you think is fit? I'm ...
brain dead to be frank. I can't make up my mind. I have favorites, of course, but one of them is
smudged and I can't figure out how to fix it. Perhaps you could get me away from it and back to
business?"

Masahito just smiled. "I'll be happy to look at it. Sometimes a fortuitously placed stamp can help
greatly."

Joey hung his head. "I don't have any. That's the other reason it's so hard to choose. Some of my
art is planned around stamps I wish I had. Most of the rest is just ... lacking. I've signed them all
of course but I don't have even a hanko."

The old man shook his head. "Well, well, I can aid you in that. I've been collecting seals for
years. And I have one of the best collections of sumi-e equipment outside a museum. Feel free to
ask to borrow anything. I can always say no."

Joey blinked back tears. "Thank you so very much. Thank you."

"Tut, tut, young man. It's nothing to me. My sons don't do mounting. Most of my collection will
just be boxed up and put away when I'm gone. I hate to see that. But ..." he slapped his hands
against his thighs and stood up. "Let me look until the snacks come. Very tasty, by the way."
while they were talking, they'd eaten the whole plate without realizing. "And I'm going to have a
talk with Kaiba-san. I think he has quite a collection of stamps, why he doesn't let you use some
of them, I don't know."

Joey frowned. "I don't either. That's strange though. He ... I wonder?"

Seto entered with a larger tray of snacks, his checkbook in his hip pocket and said, "You wonder
what? I got snacks and here's the book." he put the tray down on the table and turned to look at
Joey.


"Do you know that you have a collection of mood stamps?"

Seto looked puzzled for a moment. "I do? Not that I know of. I'll call Mokuba in a while and ask
him. I have to go talk to my lawyer now. I won't be long. I'll sign you two checks, don't ruin me.
Ok?"

Joey nodded with a grin. "Ok. I won't buy the Imperial Palace or nothin' while you're gone.
Good luck."

Seto hugged Joey then left.

.

Masahito-sama and Joey spent nearly an hour just going through every piece he had. They
examined each one for all sorts of things. Joey even showed him the two pieces he'd ruined by
smearing the ink while putting them away. Masaheto-sama said he'd take them anyway, he
thought he might be able to save them.

He was just leaving with all the art carefully packed for transport when two guards came running
up.

"Katsuya-kun, you must come at once. Kaiba-san has worked himself into a ... a frenzy. His
lawyer is in the hall with a bloody nose and ... we don't know what to do. We're afraid to try to
take him into custody. What if we hurt him? And what if he hurts one of us? We don't need that
kind of trouble here. Please."

Joey just excused himself to Masahito-sama and took out after the guards at a run.

Joey entered the small meeting room carefully, Seto in a real temper was nothing to mess around
with. He wondered what had set him off this badly. He looked around and realized that set off'
was really to the point. The room was trashed.

Seto had upset the central table and tossed the chairs into the wall, breaking two of them. All the
pictures were off the wall, shattered on the floor, glass making puddles around them. One
window was open and the curtains hung half out of it.

Seto had one lawyer backed into a corner and was talking to him softly. His intense look and
ridged posture made Joey shiver. The other lawyer was in the hall holding a handkerchief to his
nose and saying, "No, no! He didn't hit me! I ran into the door frame on my way out. I will not be
in the same room with him in a temper. It's too intense for me. He never, never hits. He says it's
beneath him to hit an inferior. Please, don't hurt him. We made a mistake."

Joey called Seto softly so as not to startle him. "Seto. Baby. What the hell? Come on, talk to me."

Seto turned with a snarl. "They want to leave you here. You know what will happen then, don't
you?"

Joey nodded. "They'll find an excuse to send me to some other prison. I'm not high class enough.
Don't worry about it. I'll be fine. You get out so you can see to getting me out. It's alright."

"No! It is not! You'll leave with me or I won't leave. I'll stay here until your sentence is up.
That's all there is to that. I will not be argued with." The lawyer he'd turned his back on started
to say something. Seto just shouted, "ENOUGH!" slashed his hand through the air and stalked to
the door.

He stood in the door. "I'm sorry. I lost my temper, a thing I hate doing. I'll pay for whatever I
broke, of course." he held out his hands to a guard. "I'm ready to go."

"Go? No, you'll have to speak to the warden but you won't be going anywhere. Come with me."

Seto blinked, glanced at Joey and followed the guard. Joey followed him. The lawyers followed
both of them.

It didn't take the warden long to get to the bottom of the whole mess. He talked to the lawyers,
guards, Seto and Joey. He told Seto to wait in a small side room while he did his own interviews.

After all the talking and fussing was over, the warden handed down his decision.

"Kaiba Seto. Your temper is well known and I understand now that this was ... unendurable. I
wouldn't have put up with such a revolting, traitorous suggestion either. But, you cannot just
destroy things without repercussions. You will pay for the damages. You are on lock down for
one week. You will not leave quarters. Do you understand?"

Seto nodded. "Yes, I understand. Please convey my apologies to the staff." He got up and walked
to the door. "Thank you for your understanding. Will you please try to explain to my lawyers that
no man with an ounce of sense leaves his lover in the lurch like that? I've tried for a month. They
don't listen. Excuse me."

He turned on his heel and stalked out the door back straight. Joey snorted, "Idiot." and followed.


Masahito Akira

fuku-honbucho - Headquarters chief

hanko - small stamp with a persons name on it. Used all over Japan along with a signature to
assure people that it was really signed by the person in question.

shateigashira - third in command

Kyodai - brothers What yakuza will call clan' members. Or other yakuza when comparing
themselves to outsiders

gaikuza - not yakuza. A contraction of the word gaijin - foreigner and yakuza

Mood seals are the red seals you see on chinese and japanese painting. They are sometimes
common sayings like good fortune or Long life and other times are short quotations from every
thing from Confucius to Tsung Tsu.