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Seto didn't even pause when he got to the door, if Jounouchi really wanted to keep them out he would have shut the door all the way, locking it even. Not that that would have stopped him, or the pointy-haired sidekick hot on his heels likely. It would have slowed them down though. However non-existent obstacle brushed aside, the pair hurried down the hall to stand behind Jounouchi.

- - -

Tetsuo cut off mid-swear, left hand wrapped tight around a clearly nervous Shizuka's shoulder. His son, and two of his friends - one of which was probably the last person on earth he wanted to see at the moment - had just appeared in the doorway. Immediately letting go of his daughter he turned to face the trio barricading the entrance.

"What the ********?" was all he managed to choke out. He had expected the boy to turn up eventually, he could have dealt with that. Yet with his mini army in tow Tetsuo would have to show some restraint. Still unsure where things stood after the past events leading up to his time in the hospital, he couldn't afford another screw up, especially not when he was this out-numbered.

As terrified as Shizuka had been moments before, she was slightly annoyed be instantly treated like a frightened child in need of sheltering. However at the moment all she wanted to do was get away from her father. She was still determined to talk to him, honestly more determined than ever. But now was not the time. So she waited quietly for her brother and his friends to deal with the situation at hand.

- - -

"Hey!" Tetsuo bellowed into his furious son's face. "I said what the hell is going on here, what are all these people doing here?"

Shizuka pretty much just needed to pick up her bag, she hadn't bothered to unpack anything considering the way events had played out upon her arrival. However she dropped the bag almost instantly when out of the corner of her eye she spotted her father aiming to strike at her brother, who currently was busy watching her.

- - -

Before the punch could land, or Jounouchi even realized he was under attack - which just proved how out of his mind he was, considering he tended to be on his guard even in his sleep - Hiroto, with the unexpected assistance from Kaiba, had the older man pinned against the wall. Kaiba tutted at him sardonically, saying something along the lines of "that's not very sporting behavior."

Trusting that the man was sufficiently frightened into behaving, Kaiba and then Hiroto let go of his arms, ushering the Jounouchi siblings out the door ahead of them. Both brunettes kept an eye on the figure behind them, but as far as either could tell he hadn't even moved from his spot against the wall by the time the quartet had exited the apartment.

Once outside, door shut, Kaiba strolled ahead of the group, pausing only momentarily to relieve Shizuka of the bag she was currently struggling with in her still flustered state. How gentlemanly, Hiroto thought with a smirk.

The group climbed quietly into the limo, the silence only broken initially by Kaiba directing the driver to take them back to his mansion. After a few moments of awkward silence and eye-contact avoidance Hiroto couldn't stand it anymore. So he turned to Shizuka and asked, "so what brings you down here unannounced kid?"

- - -

Shizuka was shaken out of her reverie by Honda's unexpected question. Realizing all eyes were on her now she debated on what would be the best way to answer the question. Truthful, yet without revealing the entirety of her intentions behind the impromptu trip.

"I was able to get away from school for a bit, so I decided I'd pay a surprise visit," she stated, attempting to sound nonchalant. Before anyone could start in on her about why she'd think an announced trip was a good idea, she moved to change the subject. "So umm, where exactly are we going? I know it's been awhile, but I wasn't aware you and Kaiba-san were close now?" She asked, eyes darting back and forth between her brother and the businessman.

Seto raised an eyebrow at Jounouchi's embarrassed reaction to his sister's assumption. What the hell was he thinking to react in such a manner? He didn't comment though, watching Shizuka frown at the suggestion she go stay with Anzu. She clearly had not come all this way for a visit with the bossy girl.

With a heavy sigh Seto busied himself with his cellphone, so that he wouldn't have to look anyone in the eye when he muttered, "your sister can stay with you."

His home was turning into a circus. However of all the people he'd "let" in thus far, the girl probably got on his nerves the least. She definitely bothered him less than Honda, though was equally likely to keep her brother distracted, and thus would be a more preferable house guest.

Seto rolled his eyes at how utterly idiotic Jounouchi could be, it was like talking to a retarded puppy, why bother? However he did make the effort to repeat himself, a bit more audibly this time. "I said," he paused, adding emphasis to each subsequent word, "your sister can stay at mine."

Shizuka smiled warmly back at her brother, still suspicious about the entire set up between her brother and the brooding man, but happy that she'd be able to spend her trip with her brother rather than with his friends for once.

"Thank you so much Kaiba-san for doing this for us," she gushed pleasantly, concealing a tiny smile when she noted her addressee blushing slightly and waving away her attention.

- - -

When they arrived back at the mansion Hiroto made his excuses to leave before Kaiba could try to make them for him. He knew with Shizuka here he no longer had 'distract Jounouchi' within his arsenal of reasons to stick around. Besides, he figured Jou would want some alone time with his sister, he hadn't seen her in awhile. So he said his goodbyes, turned down the "politely" offered ride home, and decided to dial Anzu on his walk back. If he didn't she'd just be calling him soon and yelling at him for not letting her know if everything was ok with Jounouchi's family.

- - -

After Honda retreated, for which Kaiba was glad, he wasn't used to having so many non-business associates surrounding him (frankly he couldn't stand being surrounded by suits either), he led the Jounouchi siblings to another spare guest room where. He stayed only long enough to point out the nearest bathroom (attached to the bedroom of course), linens, and announce he was retreating to his room before actually retreating to his room. He figured he'd be able to get a bit more work done in peace while the girl unpacked and got caught up with her brother.

"It was really nice of Kaiba-san to let me stay here," Shizuka chirped, happily unpacking her clothes onto the bed before moving them to the wardrobe and closet. She wanted to talk about their father. Even more than that, she really wanted to discuss this whole situation between Kaiba and her brother. However she figured it'd be best to keep things friendly initially, ease her brother gently into the topics he'd probably rather avoid.

- - -

Seto closed the door to his bedroom and started toward the bed, halting when suddenly assaulted by a wave of dizziness. He dropped slowly to his knees, hands pressed hard against his throbbing temples. "Urgh," he moaned unhappily into the carpet. Why must his body insist on betraying him repeatedly as of late? He squeezed his eyes shut as the pain began to escalate, frustrated with how trapped he felt, hoping that either the pounding would cease quickly or he'd at least be granted the serenity of unconsciousness.