Seto Kaiba paced in front of the front door of his mansion, waiting for his younger brother to get back with his new-found pet. He'd have to live with the mutt, he was already stressed enough with work, but now this!? Kaiba couldn't hold much longer. But whatever his brother's bidding, it had to be done. Kaiba wasn't cold hearted enough to refuse the only one that mattered. So therefore, he'd have to deal with the mongrel for just a little while. What did Mokuba see in him anyways? What was so special about the mutt? Nothing, that's what.

Kaiba groaned as he thought of the mutt tearing up the house. This was going to be a long while...

While Kaiba was busy internally groaning, a sleek black limo pulled up infront of the mansion. Joey and Mokuba stepped out, and the limo drove off to some other part of the mansion. Kaiba looked up, and crossed his arms. Mokuba gave him a grin and went up to him, and Joey followed behind him. Kaiba sighed.

"Mokuba, if you're to keep this mutt then make sure he's house broken." Kaiba said before abruptly turning and walking inside the mansion.

"Hey! I'm not a dog!" Joey yelled after him. Mokuba laughed and grabbed Joey's hand, ushering him inside.

Mokuba dragged Joey through many confusing hallways, up a staircase, and past a few rooms, until they came upon their destination. Joey made a mental note of the hallways.

"This is your room, Joey!" Mokuba said excitedly. Joey stuck his head through the door. A black lush carpet hugged his feet as he stepped in. The beige colored walls were calming and serene, and the bed looked comfy and oh-so inviting. A dark colored wood desk with a laptop on it sat in the far corner against the wall. Another door was across the room, which he assumed to be a closet.

"Wow, Mokuba, this looks great!" Joey said, almost giddy to live there.

"Yep, and my room's over there," He pointed across the hall, "And Seto's is over there." He pointed to the door next to that. Joey's face fell. He'd almost forgotten he'd have to live with Kaiba.

"Now let's go to the living room and play video games!" Mokuba yelled, leaving Joey to trail behind him as he led him to the living room. The room they entered was big, but not quite so big that it was scary. The walls were a light green with white and black boarders. There was a large fireplace at one end of the room, with two chairs and a small coffee table. On the other side, it looked less formal. There was a flat-screen, surrounded by various video game consoles and games and cases just laying about. Kaiba was sprawled out on one o the many sofas in the room, reading a novel. Mokuba gave him a glance, and his face lit up.

"Big brother! You're taking a break from work! That's great!" Mokuba said cheerilly. Kaiba looked up at his brother, then his gaze slid to Joey, who stood nonchalantly behind Mokuba with his hands in his pockets and his gaze to the ceiling in thought.

"Just for a little while, Kid." Kaiba replied, ruffling Mokuba's raven black hair, but still eying Joey.

"Okay. Me and Joey are gonna play some games!" Mokuba squealed in delight. Mokuba grabbed Joey's hand, snapping him out of thought.

"Huh?" Joey panicked as he was being dragged across the room.

"Let's play this! And then this!" Mokuba chirped. ignoring Joey's surprise as he picked up games and handed them to Joey. Kaiba looked up over the top of his book, and smiled slightly to himself. He was always happy to see Mokuba excited, and he hasn't been this excited since Kaiba built Kaiba Land. Even if it was the mutt that made him happy, it was something.

Somewhere between their games, Kaiba snuck back to his room to work. Knowing Mokuba would get mad if he knew, he waited until there was a moment he was engrossed in one of his mind rotting games with the mutt. One of the chefs cooked dinner, which Kaiba decided he was too busy to have, but Mokuba and Joey happily shoveled food into their mouths and resumed their gaming which Mokuba won almost every time.

"Ha! I'm beatin' you, squirt!" Joey yelled, pumping his fist in the air. He looked over with his mouth open to say something, but he saw Mokuba passed out on the floor. Joey smiled to himself. The kid looked cute when he slept- well, cuter. Joey scooped the boy in his arms and held him carefully as he stood. Joey walked into the hallway. He looked around, thrying to remember the way. He walked through by trial and error, but made his way to the rooms. Kaiba heard footsteps, and peeked out his door. He saw Wheeler holding his little brother. Kaiba followed to his room, and saw Joey tucking Mokuba in, and prceeding to groggily enter his room with half closed eyes. Kaiba was back at his desk, but wondering why the mutt would do that. Joey walked into his room, and changed into silk black pajamas. It was the comfiest thing he'd ever worn. He slipped into his bed, and instantly fell asleep after a long day of games and bad news, this was the way to end it.

A pair of arms wrapped themselves around Joey's waist, and squeezed. Joey woke with a start. He looked down and saw Mokuba, innocent as ever, jumping on Joey's bed, already fully dressed.

"Wake up Joey! It's already 7: 00 AM!" Mokuba whined.

"Alright kiddo..." Joey lifted himself in a slow groggy manor. Mokuba tackled Joey to move quicker. Joey sucked in his breath in a burst of pain. Mokuba had jabbed him in one of his many bruises.

"Joey? What's wrong?" Makuba asked with concern and panic in his eyes. "Did I hurt you?"

"Angg..." Joey groaned, clutching his side. Mokuba lifted Joey's shirt to see a wide black and purple bruise stained on the left side of Joey's torso. Mokuba gasped.

"Joey! You're hurt! I'll go get Seto-!" Mokuba yelled, looking around the room. Joey grabbed Mokuba's wrist.

"Don't," he mouthed. "I don't want him to know." Mokuba nodded, still worried. Mokuba left him to lay in bed for a little while longer. When he overheard the doctors and nurses talking about Joey's father, they'd also mentioned Joey. They said that Mr. Wheeler had a son that often was the hospital for various reasons, and it was possibly because his father was always drunk, so he may have beaten Joey. There was no evidence, so it was just a rumor around the hospital. Mokuba hadn't wanted to believe it, since Joey was always so happy and open about everything, there's no way he was being abused at home without someone finding out. But Mokuba saw one of his bruises, probably one of many. It might be just from a bad accident, like a trip down the stairs, but everything connected so well it was hard not to believe.

"Hey, kiddo, what's wrong?" Kaiba appeared at Mokuba's bedroom door with concerned eyes. He stared at his kid brother, who was wiping a few tears away.

"N-nothing, I'm alright." Mokuba sucked in a sob. He felt so bad for hurting Joey. Kaiba sat on the bed next to Mokuba, and held him.

"It's okay, Mokie. It's okay." Kaiba whispered to the crying boy. Mokuba hugged his brother as he calmed down.

"So what's wrong?" Kaiba asked. Mokuba just shook his head.

"Can't say. I'm okay though, so don't worry about me!" Mokuba jumped up. Kaiba slightly smiled, happy his brother was fine.

Joey rolled over on his bed, and blinked. He looked at the clock. It read 2: 00 PM. His stomach growled ferociously, and he rolled off the bed onto all fours. He lifted his head, and looked around the room. Waking up was truly a challenge. 'I thought Mokuba was waking me up...?'. He shook his head and stood up, remembering how he poked a tender spot. He got up off the floor and left the room. through trial and error, he found Mokuba sitting on the couch, playing his video games again.

"Hey squirt, why didn't you get me up? I slept the day away." Joey said, sitting next to Mokuba, his stomach growling. Mokuba looked up from his games at him.

"I felt bad." Mokuba said without skipping a beat. "Are you hungry? Lets get you something to eat!"

Mokuba jumped up, and waited at the entrance of the room, knowing that Joey still didn't know his way around. Joey walked up to him, and Mokuba proceeded to go to the kitchen and have someone get him just a couple sandwiches. Him and Mokuba sat the table, and Mokuba was munching on chips.

"So... What happened? How'd you get the bruise I mean..." Mokuba started.

"Before I came home from the tournament, I got into a fight with someone talking bad 'bout my friends, and he fought dirty." Joey said, laughter bubbling in his voice. He was lying, but there was no use worrying Mokuba with his problems.

Mokuba blinked, and laughed, though he didn't believe him. "You've got to be more careful then!"

Joey nodded and smiled. Someone had brought him his food, and he ate it and they both went back to the living room, playing various games, until it was pretty late.

Mokuba yawned and rubbed his eyes. Joey looked over at him.

"You should head to bed squirt." He said to him. Mokuba shook his head.

"Can't. Seto's not back from work yet... I'm worried." The young, tired boy said. Joey blinked, and realized the he really hadn't seen any sign of Kaiba at all throughout the day.

"When'd he leave?" Joey asked. Mokuba yawned again.

"He woke up at 6: 00 AM and worked from home for a while, and left to the office at around 8: 00 AM." Mokuba told him. Joey looked at the clock. It was 11: 00 PM. He thought about what he could do...

"If I go drag him home, will you head to bed?" Joey asked. Mokuba looked up, and shook his head.

"I wanna go too!" he exclaimed, forcing back a yawn. It was Joey's turn to shake his head.

"Nope, either I go get him, or neither of us, it's too late for you to be going out."

Mokuba sighed, but nodded in defeat. Joey walked with him up to his room, and then went back down and walked outside. He was going to have to walk to Kaiba Corp. but a nice nighttime walk never hurt.
He thought of the morning, when Mokuba had jabbed his bruise. He had to had heard something more from the doctors than his father was an alcoholic in a coma. He had to have heard the rumors. It would make even more sense with him being so determined to allow him to live there. He hoped Mokuba wouldn't spill the beans to his brother. Kaiba was the last human being on Earth he wanted to know his secret. It would give Kaiba one more thing to make fun of him about.

Joey hadn't noticed, for he was deep in thought, but he'd arrived at the mother of Kaiba's ego. Kaiba Corp. Joey opened the door, and looked around the lobby. He'd been here before, so he knew where to go. Joey stepped into the elevator, and pushed in the number floor he was going to.

Joey hopped out of the elevator, and walked by memory to Kaiba's office. He knocked on the door. No answer. Joey decided to walk in anyways. Kaiba sat at the desk completely unaware of Joey, and was just sucked in his work. He sipped coffee, absentmindedly as he worked. Dark bags hung under his eyes from lack of sleep. He massaged his temples from a headache that had taken root hours ago, and just seemed to grow. He heard a cough, and looked up to see the mutt leaning against the doorway.

"Kaiba, it's time ta go home, Mokuba's worried for ya. Said you needed rest." Joey said, walking towards Kaiba. Kaiba, who could fall asleep right there, was too tired to protest. He let the blonde help him out of his seat, and down into the lobby. To Joey, it was just a miracle Kaiba didn't chop his head off right away for touching him. They received stares as Joey helped Kaiba out. Joey looked over his shoulder every once in a while to make sure Kaiba didn't collapse on the ground and sleep there. He had Kaiba call for a limo, and they went home.

Joey traced the halls and brought The Almighty Seto Kaiba to his room, and layed him in bed, who was asleep on the way up the stairs, so Joey had to hold him for support, praying he didn't wake up to kill him. Joey let out a heavy sigh as he looked at the now not so almighty CEO. Kaiba definitely looked less tense in this state, and it was easy to forget that Kaiba was Joey's age. Joey even smiled at the shortly lasting innocence before him. He remembered that this was the same vicious CEO that could kill him, and he slowly backed out of the room, carefully shutting the door. He turned around to see the empty halls, and sighed with relief. He left into his bedroom, changed into pajamas, flipped off the lights, and snuggled up to the warmth of his bed.

Kaiba awoke to the sound of his clock. Beep pause Beep pause Beep and so on. He looked around his room, confused. The clock read 10: 00 AM. Kaiba set his clock to 6: 00 AM every night, today was no exception. Also, how did he get home last night? He couldn't quite remember finishing work and coming home to sleep. A light knock came to his door.

"Come in." He ordered in a groggy voice. The door cracked open, and he saw his little brother stood in the doorway.

"Are you alright, Big brother? You were at work late last night." Mokuba said, holding the door.

"Yeah, I'm okay. But I have a few questions." Kaiba nodded.

"What is it?" Mokuba asked, as if he didn't know what his brother was going to ask.

"First, how did I get home last night, and second, who changed my alarm clock from it's original timer to now?"

"I'm not sure about the clock thing, but I know that Joey went out to get you from work for me." the younger boy told him.

"And where is the mutt now?" Kaiba said, a slight groan escaping his lips as he moved out of bed. His muscles were stiff and sore from sitting in the same position for several hours the day before. He brushed it off, and decided that he had to get to work. He couldn't be late, he was the ever-so punctual Seto Kaiba!

Kaiba walked into the kitchen to see the back of Joey cooking?

"Hey Kaiba!" Joey turned around with a sunshine smile on. "I'm cooking now, we had a little 'incident' with the former chef." Joey pointed in the corner. Kaiba's chef lay wriggling, tied up and gagged. She looked at Kaiba with pleading eyes. Clearly, Kaiba questioned it, but had places to be.

"I'll deal with this later," Kaiba muttered, walking right back out of the kitchen, as if it hadn't happened.

Just kidding. Here's what truly happened, kay?

Kaiba walked into the kitchen to see the back of Joey cooking?

"Hey Kaiba!" Joey turned around with a sunshine smile on. "I'm cooking now, here's a funny story, me and Mokuba walked in this morning and the chef set the stove on fire! That's just crazy! So Mokuba fired her. I offered to be the unpaid chef for now, since I've had my hand in the kitchen."

"You are paid, with a place in my house." Kaiba muttered, walking right back out of the kitchen. He didn't need food poisoning by the mutt, he had to get to work.

Mokuba walked in as Kaiba walked out, and looked after him questioningly. Joey had finished cooking eggs, bacon, and home fries, and set two plates on the table, one for him and one for Mokuba. They sat and ate, joked around, Joey was already getting used to this routine.

After they were done eating, joey set the dishes in the dishwasher, and Mokuba tugged on his shirt. Joey looked down to see a puppy-dog look plastered on the younger boy's face.

"What is it, squirt?" Joey asked. Mokuba blinked a few times, for added measure.

"Seto's at work." Mokuba said flatly.

"Uh... Yeah. I know. Your point...?" the blonde said raising his eyebrow. Mokuba blinked a few more times.

"He's been working so much lately, and-"

"You want me to go get him? Again?" Joey said, cutting him off. Mokuba nodded.

"He's been working so much lately, without any days off or breaks... I want him to come home, I'm worried... People often forget how young he is, including himself, and he needs a break sometimes..."
The blonde looked at the sincere face Mokuba had on full of worry for his brother. Joey sighed in defeat, and nodded, and walked out without saying another word to the younger boy.
For the second day in a row, he walked to Kaiba Corp. and went to Kaiba's office and knocked, this time hoping for an answer.

"Come in." He heard the young CEO say, muffled some by the doors. Cautiously, he opened the door and stepped in. Kaiba looked up for a fraction of a second, and then looked back down to his work.
"Mokuba sent me." Joey stated.

"Is that your excuse every time, Wheeler?" He replied, eyes still glued to his computer.

"Why would I come any other reason?" Joey asked.

"None hopefully. Now, what did he want?"

"He wanted you to come home."

"No."

"But he's your kid brother!"

"So?"

"He's worried, Kaiba. Now's not the time to show your supremacy."

"I'm not going home just because he asked me to."

"You're overworking yourself!"

"What can I say? I'm a workaholic. This company doesn't run itself you know."

"They can deal without you for a day, you needa rest. You work way too much."

"Hmm, no."

"Kaiba!"

"Shut up, mutt."

"I'm not a dog! And I'm not leaving without you, I promised your brother I'd bring you home, so you'll have to deal with me until you change your mind." Joey crossed his arms and smiled, satisfied. Kaiba spared him a look, and then went back to working, done with the conversation. Joey took a chance to start poking around the various shelves and drawers around Kaiba's office.

Most of the shelves were full of various books about businesses and finances, and the occasional plaything for Mokuba when he's in the office. The drawers were full of papers, folders, files, and... A standard deck of cards. He picked up the little box, and closed the drawer.

"Hey rich boy, what's up with the cards?" Joey asked, turning to Kaiba, who was looking at him with a questioning look. Joey held up the box to clear the confusion.

"It must be Mokuba's." Kaiba stated blankly.

"Hey, I have an idea!"

"Wouldn't that kill you?" Kaiba raised an eyebrow.

"Haha, you're such a comedian. Let's make a bet.

"What kind of bet?"

"We'll play cards, best two out of three. The winner chooses their prize. Do you agree?" Kaiba thought it over.

"Okay. If I win, you have to stop pestering me. Since you're a second rate duelist, you can't be much better at simple cards."

"Oh so funny I forgot to laugh. Well, if I win, you have ta come home with me and actually take a break for once."

Kaiba nodded, figuring this would be his end of the bet.

"What will we be playing?"

Joey thought this over, they could play two-man poker, war, mariage, speed, or...

"Let's play Go Fish."

"Alright, a simple game for a simple mind." Kaiba smirked. Joey pulled a chair up to right infront of the CEO's pulled the cards out of the small box in his hand and shuffled the deck, and dealt seven cards to himself and to Kaiba.

"Four for a book." Joey said grinning. Kaiba nodded. They played through one game which Joey won. Kaiba won the next. At the end of the last game, when the main deck had run nearly dry, and both were confident about winning.

"Got any three's?" Joey asked. Kaiba looked up from his hand with a glare and handed a card to Joey, completing a book for him.

"What about any kings?" Joey asked again. Kaiba shook his head.

"Go Fish." Kaiba said. Joey reached for the last card of the deck, which was the king he needed to complete yet another book for him. Kaiba had one more card in his hand. Joey grinned at this.

"C'mon rich boy, cough up the last card, ya got any six's?" Joey said, laughter bubbling up in his voice. Kaiba once again gave him the death glare and handed him the last card. It was obvious that Joey had won. Kaiba growled at his defeat.

"Fine, I'll go home with you, but for Mokuba only." Kaiba spat.

"No need ta be a sore loser," Joey smiled. Kaiba whipped out his cell, and called for a limo. They rode home in silence, Joey sometimes testing his luck bu poking Kaiba's arm to see if he got his finger bitten off.
"Big brother! You're home!" Mokuba cheered as the not-so cheery Kaiba stepped in.

"Yeah, it was a pain, but I did it." Joey smiled.

"Thank you Joey." Mokuba said. Kaiba walked into the living room stiffly, and sat on a sofa with a groan. His back and especially neck flared with pain. Mokuba bounced up into his room, and Joey walked into the living room.

"You ain't lookin' to high and mighty, Kaiba." Joey said, looking at Kaiba who was obviously in pain.

"Yeah, so? What about it?" Kaiba looked at Joey who was thinking of a way to help.

"I've got an idea."

"Oh my God, two in a day? I might just die."

"Oh hilarious. Well this one you will actually benefit from, and just cause' I'm feelin' nice." Kaiba looked at him with a raised eyebrow. What was he up to?

"What is it this time?"

"You'll see. Now, sit on the floor."

"What? Why?"

"I can't exactly do this if you're on the couch, Kaiba."

"Fine." Kaiba groaned as he obeyed. He wouldn't get anything done hurting like this.

"Good. Now take your shirt off."

"What?"

"You heard me, do it."

"I hope this doesn't backfire." Kaiba said, yet still complied. Joey knelt behind him, and started feeling around for places on his neck and back that seemed to have the most knots.

"Jeez, Kaiba. You're really tense." Joey said.

"Hmm, work does that to you." Kaiba said, but then yelped in pain. "Watch it!" He growled.

"It might hurt for a few seconds." Joey warned, a bit late. He dug his fingers into the places that seemed most tense, undoing the knots. Kaiba stayed quiet through this, but it actually felt much better.

After Joey had finished, Kaiba was able to move freely without wincing in pain, or walking stiff.

"How d'ya feel?" Joey asked.

"Better. A lot better." Kaiba admitted. Joey laughed and stood up.

"Well, that doesn't give you permission to go back to work today. Go sit on the couch, lounge around, do something NOT work related."

Kaiba shook his head and sighed, but still got up and sat on the couch. The mutt's stay was going to be an interesting one.