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Seto sighed at what a literal idiot Jounouchi was being. He hadn't meant that Mokuba's lack of credentials barred him from common sense, he was just trying to get the point across that Mokuba couldn't actually prove that working a few hours a day - especially if Seto were to do it from his own bed - would be detrimental to health. In fact it most likely wouldn't, particularly as all Seto would be working on his product design rather than actual business. Designing probably fell into that hobby category Jounouchi was blathering on about for no discernible reason as well. As much as it pained him to try and push this point with a man who wouldn't know a metaphor if it punched him in the face, it was probably the last hope he had.

"Look here mutt," Seto couldn't avoid slipping in the insult, even when attempting to ask for a favor, "you want me to have a hobby, my work IS my hobby. Mokuba is running the business part of my business, and I am fully leaving him to it. All I've been working on is product design, you know, game plans. Because I run a gaming company. So at the moment technically what I'm doing is crafting a game, and when I finish the demo, I can test play the game. Let me finish my game - during normal daylight hours, and I promise I'll sleep at night for a full 8 hours." Seto hoped the barter would be accepted. He almost tagged on a mock offer to even go to a beach, except that he was quite afraid that would be taken literally. He'd never been the biggest fan of open bodies of water, too many ways to die.

Seto rolled his eyes at the pathetic blond's assumption of power, as if he held the cards in this situation. It's not like Seto needed his laptop per say, not that he'd reveal that fact. He could spend hours and hours writing code by hand, he was that good. He could even do hand drawn scene sketches, that might actually be something worth considering. Although drawing might seem a hobby, something Seto of course avoided with a passion according to Jounouchi, it was actually something he was more than fairly adept at. However he really didn't want to do that, and it wouldn't be the most entertaining way to go about game creation, at least not the code aspect of it.

"Fine, you can have the laptop at night, just don't tell Mokuba what I'm up to. And you only said to take back the mutt insult, I am hereby claiming it was not meant as an insult, and thus I have no obligation to revoke it," Seto said with a smirk, uncharacteristically ruffling Jounouchi's hair on top of it. He'd blame sleep deprivation for that odd move later.

"Hey, I said it wasn't an insult. Are you calling me a liar? I find that pretty insulting," Seto said with mock offense.

- - -

Hiroto raised an eyebrow when Kaiba actually petted Jounouchi, he half tensed, given that a punch seemed a lot more likely than what almost could be mistaken as an affectionate gesture. His shock level increased at the CEO's seemingly friendly, light banter. As much as he'd always complained about the unnecessary rudeness, he found this Kaiba just slightly frightening.

However, bored with a pattern that could continue for awhile, given Jounouchi's tendency to not drop a subject while confused about it, he interjected by handing the laptop back to its owner. He was rewarded with a scowl but no comment.

"Well Jou, what are your plans for while Kaiba's working?" Hiroto asked, wondering if he'd be able to talk his way into staying over for awhile. Anzu and Yuugi were both otherwise engaged at the moment, and he didn't quite feel up to entertaining himself.

With his laptop back in his possession Seto happily climbed back onto his bed and booted up his program. Finally getting his way for once had him feeling refreshed and ready to get back into his game design plan. As long as Jounouchi didn't propose a plan that included his stupid friend staying in his house much longer he no longer had any interest in the conversation.

- - -

"Well yea plan, I mean you're babysitting," Hiroto said, attempting not to chuckle at the glare 'babysitting' earned him from their disgruntled host, "so I gather you aren't going anywhere. You can't just sit in a chair and stare at Kaiba all day, right?"

He wanted to offer to stay, but he figured that wouldn't go over well. However Kaiba was being allowed to do what he wanted, perhaps if he felt letting Hiroto stay would keep Jounouchi further out of his hair he could be convinced to let the issue go for now.

Seto sighed, he already had one house guest he didn't particularly care for, he didn't want another one. Although Jounouchi was less likely to hover if he had something to entertain him. He clearly wasn't the type to pick up a book, and on his own video games probably wouldn't distract his minimal attention span for very long. Annoyed, but deciding to go with the lesser of two evils Seto mumbled, "your stupid friend can stay...but not in my room. Go in the game room, you can check on me however often you feel you need to. Please feel free to keep that as close to never as possible."

Once alone Seto returned to his work, although after about 5 minutes he put the laptop aside, laid back and shut his eyes. He only intended to rest them for a moment, but about a minute later he was fast asleep.

- - -

"Alright buddy, we actually have the run of the Kaiba mansion, who'd have thought eh?" Hiroto laughed as they made their way off to the game room.

- - -

Shizuka watched the scenery roll by out the train window, excited that she'd be able to see her brother soon, though aware that he'd be upset she hadn't mentioned she was coming beforehand. Anzu was a sweet girl, and she enjoyed staying with the other girl's family, but this time Shizuka was determined to stay with her own family. She just hoped her mother would be alright on her own for a few days.

"Woo!" Hiroto cheered as he beat Jounouchi at yet another one of Kaiba's endless selection of games. This one had been rather odd, a combination of duel monster card games and motorcycle riding. "Too bad real card games aren't played on motorcycles, that'd be excellent," Hiroto called after Jounouchi as he headed out of the room, he assumed to check on Kaiba for the first time. He hopped over to the game rack to select another game for when his buddy got back.

- - -

Shizuka looked up at the ramshackle apartment building, having forgotten just how rundown the place was. She was starting to regret not letting her big brother know she was coming. She could have insisted on staying and have had him escort her home. Too late for that now, taking a deep, steady breath she made her way into the building.

((Yea I've pretty much had that on the back burner since Jounouchi started planning a stay with Anzu, that's no drama. ^_~

Of course the mom can still injure herself if you so choose (as she's you), suppose Shizuka is going to need a reason to extend a few days into something more plot relevant.))

Seto shifted slightly as the door opened, but for the first time in his life an intrusion into his personal space did not immediately send him bolting upright in bed.

- - -

Shizuka, stomach in knots, knocked softly on the apartment door. After a few moments she tried again, a bit louder this time. For a second she debated just calling Anzu, afraid that nobody was home and not looking forward to standing in a hallway for an unknown length of time. However before she could reach for the cellphone she detected a faint movement inside. Knocking one final time, loud enough to be heard in any room in the house over almost any decent noise level, she waited anxiously as footsteps made their way toward the door. They were much too heavy to be her brother's, but she had come specifically for this confrontation. No harm in getting it out of the way first.

((I know, I was about to head to bed but this is such a rarity so figured I'd at least update this first. Granted I'm totally gunna leave ya hanging, haha.

Glad you enjoyed that. As for the mom she's your character so that's totally up to you.))