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Lost and Found	By : lostintheheartland Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 9748 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 6
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or anything else nor do I make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Title: Lost And Found – Episode 4 Part 2

Author: Maggiemay

Muses and Betas: Jazzy, mofaf1, Lady Laran

Disclaimer: Don't own YGO or any of it's Characters. Do own my OC's and the work contained within this work.

Summary: Life after the Pharaoh left looked bright. Looks can be deceiving. Jounouchi is a cop who finds missing people. He's found everyone he's ever searched for – except one. This is the second part of the fourth episode in the ongoing 'Lost and Found' saga.

Rating: M for Mature just to be safe.

Size: 21 pages and 10742 words.

*****

Jou checked into his hotel and set out to find the truth. A sweet lady at the desk pointed him in the direction of the library, warning him that it closed in less than half an hour. Even walking his slowest, it took him only five minutes to reach the library. It was a five minutes well spent. If the librarian was truly Maeda's mother, then he needed an approach to her that would give him information without setting off her protective instincts. After some internal debate he decided to go for a direct deception.

The woman at the desk was exactly as he could have predicted from the description of her son. Late forties, trim, attractive with beautiful red-gold hair kissed with platinum. She had a scholarly air that was to be expected from a librarian, but it was given a lively edge by a long, flirty red scarf she wore tossed rakishly around her neck to drape over her shoulder. "Ah, excuse me, are you Maeda-san? Maeda Nayuki's mother?"

Cool hazel green eyes assessed him. "And if I am?"

The attitude surprised him, as did the distinct American accent, but only for a moment, then he rallied. "I'm looking for a college friend, Maeda Nayuki. He told me his mother worked as a librarian here and that if I'm ever here to stop and leave my card. I've just come back to Japan from a few years in the United States and, as my business brought me to this town, I thought I'd look him up."

"What business would that be? To bring you from America to our small village."

"Sea turtles. I’m a marine biologist, and I study sea turtles. I’m interested in their migratory habits. We are tracking a dozen turtles from California and Mexico to Japan. They are due to pass here in the next day or two." Jou thanked whatever god looked out for him for that tiny bit of information he'd run across in the twenty year old magazine on the ferry.

The librarian looked thoughtful for a moment. "I remember something about that. Years ago, there was an article." She shrugged. "I am Maeda Nayuki's mother. You are?."

Taking a chance, he said "Jounouchi Katsuya."

"Oh, I don't recognize the name, but then, I wouldn't. Our contact with Nayuki in those years was very limited and secret." She gave him a hard look.

"Kaza-san was... difficult."

"So you do know her. It's gotten better now. She isn't nearly as possessive as she was. I'm sorry I was abrasive before." The woman left the counter and, after a quick look around the empty library, locked the door and flipped over the closed sign. "She kept him close. I was surprised and doubtful that you were a friend because she didn't allow him to see us, much less anyone else, even friends."

"I was a friend and a classmate. He helped me with my studies. I..."

"The tutoring job! Of course! You were one of his students, that would be exactly right wouldn't it? Please, come sit down. You have only just missed him. He left this morning and will not be back for … he didn't know how long. He is starting a new job in Zurich and is very excited about it."

"That's too bad." It really was. "Did he leave way to contact him? I would really like to see him again. I owe him so much for all his help."

"He's staying at the Widder Hotel for the night after his plane lands. He'll leave a message to let me know he got there safe. It'll be the middle of the night here, and he doesn't want to wake us. He doesn't know his working address yet, but he promised to call as soon as he has it." She gave him a smiling glance. "I will tell him you stopped by though. I'm sure he'll want your contact information."

"Of course." Jou reached into his left pocket and pulled out the plain white card with his name and number on it. He used them only when he wanted to hide what he did for a living. When he saw her doubtful glance at the card, he forced an embarrassed look. "I haven't been back long and in the U.S., it isn't common to give cards in my circles. They tend to get wet."

Her doubt faded, and she laughed. "I see what you mean. What are you doing for dinner tonight? Would you care to join me and my husband?"

He truly would. She was charming, and he'd bet her husband was too. "I would love to." He told her sincerely. "However, I have to pay my respects to Kaza-san's family too. It is only polite because she did ask me to do so."

Disappointment shaded the hazel eyes. "I understand. The house is so empty right after he leaves. It was selfish of me to ask." She hesitated a brief moment. "If you are going to visit the Kaza family, you should probably go. Their hours are very set. Early to bed and early to rise is the motto of fishermen and farmers. They are both so you need to run along. You will find their home just above their fish market, Kaza Sakanaya."

Jou nodded and gave her his thanks, then left after giving a polite bow. He didn't bother going to the fish market as he had gotten all the information he needed. The blond flipped open his phone before it could finish the first ring. "Ai, I'm heading back to the hotel to check out. Make sure the 'copter and plane tickets are ready."

"Arrangements have been made. The crew for the charter have been alerted. The airport is a few kilometers outside of town. A taxi will be at the hotel in less than ten minutes. As you have no luggage, it should be a simple check out."

"I'll return the key and grab an onigiri."

"You're hungry. I have to program in refuelling stops for you in the future. Your body needs nourishment if you are to stay healthy and strong."

"The onigiri will do. Or a few of them will. Bye Ai." He hung up and went to check out. He explained to the sweet lady from earlier that he hadn't even been to the room but had a change of plans and was leaving immediately. They were free to charge him for the room if they did not sell it.

There was a small store right next door to the hotel that sold hot, fresh onigiri in all flavors, although tuna and salmon were the predominant types. He picked one of each of those, then snagged an ume one as well. He devoured the tuna while waiting for the taxi. In between bites, Jou called to let everyone know what was happening. He sighed in exasperation when nobody answered the office or home phones and left messages on each. He ate the tuna onigiri while in the taxi, and the third he tucked pickled plum into his pocket. If Ai forgot he needed fuel, he'd have something in reserve.

The helicopter ride was fast, faster than Jou had ever experienced, and he'd ridden on several emergency flights. He didn't get a chance to ask the crew about it because as quickly as he was ushered on he was ushered off and into an airplane that appeared to be powering up for take off. He was practically shoved into a door he presumed was used for cargo. The door shut behind him and locks engaged automatically. A tall man with black hair and heavy black rimmed glasses grabbed his arm and pulled him forward, out of the storage compartment and into an empty passenger area. "Ah... uhm? Did I keep you waiting?" There were six large, padded seats, more like recliners than any airplane seat Jou had ever seen. They even had retractable footrests.

"We wouldn't have left without you. We would have had to re-file the flight plan had you not arrived within five minutes. Please take a seat. I am your steward, Ibuka. If you need anything let me know. This is a nine hour flight so after takeoff, I suggest you try to get some sleep."

"Nine? I thought... Whoa...aahh!" As the acceleration of the jet down the runway sent him stumbling back, he automatically grabbed the nearest thing to him, Ibuka. They both tumbled into one of the seats.

For a moment, Ibuka froze, then snapped. "Jounouchi-san, when I said if you need anything, I did not mean my ass. Please release me, I do not tolerate sexual harassment." He kept his diatribe up while trying to disentangle himself from the flailing blond.

Jou stopped his struggle to get upright and shoved the other man off him. "Man, what is it with you? You know that wasn't what happened."

The man's face took on a prim look. "Birds of a feather. Is there anything you want? A towel perhaps? Your jacket seems to have exploded with rice."

"It was my in-flight snack. And since we're going to be here awhile, can you do something about the shirt and jacket? Is there a spare set of clothes somewhere I can change into?"

"There was a suitcase delivered for you just before we taxied. I'm sure you will find something." The man turned away. "I'll show you to the bathroom. There is a small shower in there. Use it sparingly, as there is only enough water for two showers. While you are cleaning up your 'snack,' I'll bring you your suitcase." He sniffed "I presume you'll want to freshen up before your... appointment."

Jou shrugged. "Yeah whatever. I might need something to wake me up."

Ibuka nodded and scuttled away. Jou stepped into the bathroom, and after an admiring look at the matching toilet and bidet, twin sinks, and glass enclosed corner shower, stripped off and stepped into the shower.

The suitcase wasn't one he recognized, although it was not new, it contained all new outfits with the tags still attached and a brand new toiletries travel kit. "Ai, don't you think the Kaibaland t-shirt is a bit juvenile? And the jeans are a size too small. I like to be comfortable."

"I didn't pick them out Katsuya." Ai informed him smugly. "Kaiba-san had Aishira pack the bag for you. Aishira didn't ask me your sizes beforehand. The only information available to him was the denim shorts that got left at the apartment.   Aishira thought they looked tight on you in the newspapers and went up a size."

"That explains it. Tell him thanks, will you? Don't mention the size. He did the best he could." Under the clothes was a pair of shoes, still in the box, and folded beside the box was a pair of soft, brushed cotton, yellow pajamas. "Ah man, I think I love him." Without another thought of squeezing into the jeans, he slipped on the pajamas. "Time to catch some z's."

Ibuka was in the main cabin, idly flipping through a magazine. When Jou came in he rose to his feet, lips pursing in disapproval of the pajamas.   "What can I do for you, Jounouchi-san?"

"I'm getting some sleep. You said nine hours, gotta question about that. I thought the soonest a person could fly to Zurich was eleven hours."

"Our flight plan was filed by Kaiba Corporation. Kaiba Corp maintains very good relations with most countries in the world. Kaiba Seto carries high esteem and even higher security clearance. As such he is shown courtesies not show to normal people. He has permission to cross restricted airspace in Germany and a few other countries. It saves time."

"Okay good to know. In that case, I'm going to sleep for six hours. If I'm not awake, wake me. I'll shower and dress while you make food. I'll eat before we land."

"Do you have a preference for your meal? I have fillet of beef, foie gras, chicken marsala, and fresh shrimp. I also have a variety of fresh vegetables and noodles."

"Stir fry some shrimp and veggies? Maybe some udon on the side?" Jou yawned and sprawled back in a reclining chair. "Can I get a pillow and blanket? Turn off the lights?"

"Of course." Polite mask firmly in place, Ibuka handed him the blanket and pillows from a clever little side compartment. "If there is nothing else, I'll go to the conference room and read. Sleep well Jounouchi-san. If you need me for anything, simply press the 'call' button on the right side of either armrest."

Jou turned off his phone and arranged himself comfortably as the lights dimmed. In just a few minutes, he was sound asleep and stayed that way for five hours and forty-five minutes.

He had worked abroad with enough international investigation teams that he was not a novice at flying, but Jou was far from indifferent to it and hoped he never would be. At heart, he was a homebody. He liked having his own place. Being out of it made him twitchy and uncomfortable.

He liked to keep track of time and travelling abroad, he never seemed to be able to get it. When he looked outside and saw the dark sky and twinkling stars, he sighed and shook his head. His watch said it was almost nine the morning, but it looked the middle of the night out. He'd have to ask Ibuka.

Speaking of which, the man should be along any time to wake him. Jou decided not to wait, and brought the incredibly comfortable chair upright, then folded the blanket neatly on top of the pillow. He was stretching and working the kinks out of his back when he became aware of the steward watching him. "See something you like?" He quipped.

The man's prim voice lashed at him with unexpected anger. "Jounouchi-san, you may enjoy an immoral and unnatural lifestyle but I consider myself a decent man. Please do not taint me with your disgusting comments or advances."

That brought Jou's head around sharply. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"First you grope me during take off, pulling me physically into a sexual embrace, then you flaunt your body in your bed attire, and now you are inviting licentious inspection of your person and asking me if I enjoy such perversion." Ikuba huffed. "It is unappreciated. While my employer may tolerate such things, I assure you I do not. If you dare to do another disgusting, unnatural act I will have to file an official complaint. I am not homosexual, and I do not accept it in any way."

"Hold on, I fell and grabbed the nearest thing - you. Believe me, I would never pull a stuck up, frigid twig like you into bed with me. I'd get frostbite with splinters. What the hell gives you the impression I'm gay anyway?"

"It's obvious by your attitude and the company you keep." The man turned away. "I will go make your meal while you shower. I suggest you do something about your current state. I assure you that if you have not, I will be filing a complaint."

"Huh? What the fuck..." Then it struck him. His morning wood. It was natural for guys to get a hard on in the morning. A good piss and it's gone. The guy was a psycho-homophobe. Everything he'd accused Jou of was complete and utter bullshit. What did the guy know anyway? He was just some bigoted ass.

While Jou showered, he tried to shrug off the anger and simmering resentment but found himself circling back to it. Was this a common thing? Were homosexuals treated like this all the time? Everything they said and did immediately put into the worst possible light? Did they receive threats for the most harmless of things? Did that mean he would be treated like this if he continued with his exploration?

He hadn't really been aware of anyone treating him any differently. Honda, Otogi, and Shizuka had accepted him and his decision to explore the idea with Tatsu. It was something to consider, not only from the personal implications but from a business standpoint as well. Kaiba had come out and seemed to escape unscathed, but had he really? Jou didn't know and couldn't see a time in the future when he would be comfortable asking. He might try at the pyramid though if the opportunity came up. They would have hours to talk because Jou couldn't see talking to the monster-Yugi for more than ten seconds.

With a rough sigh, he got out and towelled off, making sure to get as dry as possible. The pants were going to be a tight fit and hard to pull on. He didn't have to suck it in, but it was close. The t-shirt was long and loose, covering the line where the denim dug into his waist.

Ibuka had his meal prepared and waiting on a serving cart when he entered the cabin. The man's eyes took in his appearance with polite indifference. "I've brought a selection of drinks as well. We don't serve alcohol on any of our flights so if you want some it will have to be at your hotel."

"That's okay; I don't drink anyway. I'll just have the vitamin water." He sat and lifted the lid of the tray. "This looks great." It did, it looked first class all the way. The vegetables truly were fresh and appeared to be cooked to the perfect bright done color and the shrimp was still vivid, without the mushy look that it got when overcooked.

"Thank you." The man gave him a very polite nod. "If you need anything further, I will be in the forward cabin."

"Forward cabin? I thought this was the only cabin. You said something about a conference room too? How big is this plane?"

"This is the aft cabin. It is normally used for the transport of executive support staff and mid-level executives. The forward cabin is used by top level executives and important politicians. Between the two cabins is the bathroom you used and the conference room. At the very front of the plane is the cockpit."

"Wait, there are more people on this plane?"

"The only other people aboard are the pilots and their steward."

"So I'm a mid-level executive?" Jou didn't know whether to be amused or pissed.

"I'm sure you are very aware of your status. You were free to travel in any compartment you chose, including the jacuzzi suite attached to the executive cabin. However, you seemed comfortable here so I assumed you preferred to remain in this area."

Jacuzzi? He could have been chilling in a jacuzzi? For a second Jou was tempted to snarl at the man, then, he caught just the faintest hint of something... fear? In the man's eyes. His police training in dealing with the public forced him to control his feelings while he re-evaluated his anger and the man's every action since Jou had come aboard. Understanding lit and his anger dissipated. He actually got it. Hadn't he been hostile and angry at Kaiba when he'd realized his attraction? Hadn't he been angrier when he realized it was futile? Maybe... just maybe...

"You were right." Jou agreed quietly. "I do prefer simpler things. The food is good, and your service has been the best. Thank you for everything." He offered a genuine smile, warm and friendly, hoping the other man took it as a measure of his appreciation. It wasn't much, but he could relate, and find it in himself to let the attitude slide. Life was too damn short to hold grudges about petty bullshit.

The steward stared at him, blinking a few times, a light flush coloring his cheeks. After a few seconds, he gathered his wits enough to give a stilted, "Thank you. Enjoy your meal." Ibuka turned and all but ran from the cabin.

The man still had a poker up his ass, but Jou suspected the a-hole secretly enjoyed it.   It didn't matter to Jou. He had good eats and was well rested. He also had enough time to plan. Some paranoid, closeted homophobe wasn't enough to mess with his head.

A taxi was waiting for him when he deplaned. He turned his phone on and as soon as the car door closed behind him his phone rang. The blond looked down at the name in surprise. "Shizuka! You got my messages?"

"Yes I did. You took off to Switzerland without more than a call? What is wrong with you, big brother?"

"I barely made the plane as it was. I literally had no time. What's wrong?"

"It's all over the news. That awful woman that was here yesterday, Kaza-san, was killed in her office yesterday. They are looking for her husband - Maeda Nayuki. Her husband, Jou. Not just her assistant."

"He's in the clear. He was on an airplane a few hours outside of Zurich when she was killed. The husband thing isn't really a surprise. The guy strong armed a school to let her in with him. They wouldn't cave to that for just a girlfriend. It was one of the reasons Mai and me got married so soon. I had a scholarship and she wanted to attend a couple classes too, but her English school levels were not as high as they should have been. They wouldn't let her in as my girlfriend, but they would as my wife. Like I'd be more responsible for her, or maybe they figured... Well anyway, yeah, I kind of guessed that. Was going try to verify it as soon as possible."

"Jou, you better be right about this because they found divorce papers, unsigned, on her desk. It looks bad." Shizuka sounded worried and scared.

"I'll call Tatsu. He'll probably come by and want to see the contract they signed yesterday. Have it ready."

"But Jou..."

"Shizuka, I have to call Tatsu. I know you're upset, but you just have to tell the truth about yesterday and show them the contracts. Don't mention where I am to them. If asked just say I am out on a case and haven't called in. That is true. I didn't call you, you called me. I don't want them contacting Maeda Nayuki until I do."

"Jou, what should I tell the guys?" Shizuka sounded frantic.

"Just exactly what you will tell the police. No more or less.   Do not tell them where I am and erase the messages before they hear them.   Police look for that kind of stuff. Talk to you later, Shizuka." He hung up before she could whinge at him more. It wasn't that hard, and he didn't see why she having a problem with it. They hadn't done anything wrong. He waited until he got to the Widden Hotel and checked in, thankful for the multi-lingual clerks they had the foresight to hire. After checking when Maeda had scheduled his wakeup call, he scheduled his for half an hour earlier and then went to his room. He wasn't tired and had a lot to work out, but he didn't want to take a chance on missing his quarry.

He dialed Tatsu while he slipped out of his shoes and unbuttoned the tight jeans. His call was answered with gratifying speed. "Jounouchi! I was thinking of you, thinking I'd like to see you after work today. My sister and her brother are coming over for dinner and I'm cooking." Unspoken was the desire to take their relationship further, to meet Tatsu's family. A serious step in any relationship, and one that gave Jou more than a twinge of panic. They hadn't slept together, hell they hadn't even kissed and Tatsu wanted to introduce him to family? That was moving at warp speed. He didn't want to hurt Tatsu, but Jou knew it was too soon. He was glad he was two continents away. "Miyahara, it sounds good, but I can't make it. I'm out of town and won't be back for a few days."

There was a pause, then Tatsu asked softly, "With someone?"

"On business." Jou corrected. "I'm working on a missing person's case that ties to one homicide is working on. The Kaza-Maeda case."

"Maeda?" He heard the sharpness return, the Captain donned his mantle. "Maeda Nayuki? You know where he is?"

"I haven't seen him yet, but I believe I followed his trail. If the person I'm following is Maeda Nayuki then he has an alibi, Captain. He was on an airplane over three thousand miles away when his wife was killed. You and whoever has been assigned to the case go to my office. My sister, you remember her right? I introduced you when you stopped by my apartment to the other day? Shizuka is waiting with a copy of the contract and all of the notes from the initial interview. Just between us, I'd look at the Sassa guy real close. I got the impression they were more than just co-workers. I also don't think he knew they were married. It seems to be some kind of secret."

"Yes, I remember. She is very charming. Why would they keep it a secret?"

"Something I will ask Maeda when I see him." Jou chuckled and flopped back on the bed. "Which I'll do in about five hours. I'll call you then." He hung up before his ex-boss could realize that Jou hadn't told him where they were. He knew that if he'd let that slip the international authorities would have swarmed all over them like flies. When his phone buzzed a minute later, Jou laughed and pushed it aside. "Slow Miyahara."

Unzipping his jeans to get more room for his cramped nether region, he went and sat at the table. He wished for a notebook or something to organize his thoughts with but finally settled for the small notepad and pencil. Methodically he wrote the names of people involved on the top of each small sheet of paper and arranged them neatly. He was just filling in what he knew of Sassa when a hard knock shook his door. Startled, Jou dropped the pencil and surged to his feet. "Who is it?" He called.

Another knock answered him, and cautiously Jou sidled to the door and peeked through the judas hole.   His jaw unhinged slightly as it fell open. What the hell was Kaiba Seto doing here? How did he get here?

Another knock, this one threatening to remove the door from its hinges, galvanized Jou into action. He opened the door and stepped back. This was not a conversation that should take place in the hall.

"About time." Kaiba snapped harshly.

"Fuck. You are a piece of work. You think I expected you? What the hell are you doing here? How? Why?"

"For an investigative genius you are still as stupid as ever. I came on the same plane you did for the same reason you did." Seto's tone was as cold and brisk as ever, but Jou was disturbed to see dark shadows under the normally vibrant eyes.

Jou goggled, literally goggled at him. Ibuka lying was completely outside his assessment of the prissy little steward. "Ibuka lied when he said there were no other passengers?"

"That closeted little jerk couldn't lie to save his life. He's too busy lying to himself to spend energy on telling lies about petty things. I wasn't a passenger, I was one of the pilots. The removal of restricted area travel applies only to me, to aircraft I personally am on." Seto dropped his jacket over the back of the chair and loosened his tie as he toed off his shoes.

Jou blinked and stared, fascinated by the way Seto seemed to be shedding his facade as he undressed. Weariness and haunted shadows painted his eyes and cheekbones, making him look his age for the first time since Jou had seen him. Then what he said sunk in. "You flew... You have got to be exhausted."

"Not all of us got to rest." Kaiba admitted obliquely. "Katsuya, I know you're probably angry and feeling like I used you. You have a right to those feelings, but don't blow up until I give you my terms for using the portal to see Yugi."

Jou gasped and turned away sharply when Seto dropped his pants and folded them neatly across the back of the chair over his jacket. "K...Kaiba... wh...what th' hell..." He gulped and blustered. "Sex isn't on the table, I told you that."

A weary chuckle answered him. "I don't think I could get it up if you dropped to your knees and gave me head Katsuya. No, I respect your statement. Sex between us will never be bought and paid for. What I want from you is to borrow a pair of pajamas and five hours of silence. I have been up for almost thirty six hours. Keiko is a colicky baby."

"Only one set of pajamas, Kaiba, and I wore them on the plane for my nap. I was clean and didn't do anything nasty in them but..."

"It's either them or in the raw. I requested pajamas for your sake. I didn't have time to pack a bag and will have to wash out my underwear for tomorrow."

Jou sighed "There is spare in the bag, you won't have to wash yours." He grabbed the suitcase and rummaged inside. "Here." He tossed the pajamas in Kaiba's general direction. "Put them on." Jou didn't look, refused to look. He didn't look at the long stretch of white skin stretched over long, muscular limbs. He did not look at all. It wasn't his fault he had great peripheral vision. Keeping his distance, the blond closed the case and put it away, then moved back to the table.

"So? Do we have a deal?" Seto asked softly.

"Yeah, now go to sleep. You look like the walking dead." Jou grumbled as he picked up the pencil.

"I knew you peeked." Seto teased as he slid into the bed. In an impressively short time soft snores joined the scratch of Jou writing his lists.

Jou worked steadily for three hours, then gave in to temptation and curled up on the bed next to Seto for a small nap. The bed was huge, king sized, so when he fell into his doze he wasn't touching the other man. But when the phone rang over two hours later Jou was spooned back against Seto, Seto's arm low on his waist, his hand tucked under unbuttoned and unzipped denim loose around Jou's hips.

HIs first reaction was to leap out of bed, yelling and screaming, but his training, to think and assess first, stilled him. Cautiously, he turned his head to look at the sleeping brunet next to him. The shadows on his face were lighter, but still present. A small frown marred the smooth forehead, as if even in dreams something troubled him. It was obvious that Kaiba was still heavily asleep and that this wasn't a sexual move, Seto probably wasn't even aware that Jou was on the bed much less in his arms.

Careful of the sleeping man, Jou slipped from the loose clasp and slid from the bed. Kaiba looked like he needed every minute of sleep he could get. When the phone rang again with the wakeup call, Jou pounced and silenced it before it could shrill more than half a note.

To give him a few more minutes, Jou took his clean clothes into the bathroom and dressed, then brushed his teeth and, after a quick rub of his stubble, shaved. When he came back Seto was laying on his back, arms folded behind his head, blue eyes staring up at the ceiling with focused concentration. "Oh hey, I didn't mean to wake you. Thought you could use a few more minutes."

A small humorless smile touched Seto's lips. "I don't know if I should be grateful for your concern or pissed you didn't take advantage of my sleeping body." The smile fell away and a frown took its place. "When I woke up, I couldn't resist touching you."

Color ran up Jou's face as his fists clenched. "You perverted jerk. I was trying to be thoughtful and caring, and all the time you were feeling me up? You sick..."

Seto swung out of the bed and straightened to his full height, stretching his long arms up before swinging them back and forth to get the circulation moving. He completely ignored the raging blond.

When Jou realized Seto was actually ignoring him he broke off his tirade, and with a growl tackled the asshole back to the bed. Furious, he pinned the brunet's arms with his knees and drew back his fist, ready to punch the asshole in his smug, perverse face.

Seto watched him calmly, his eyes meeting Jou's. There was no dare or any kind of taunt. Instead there was a kind of calm acceptance, as if Seto knew he'd crossed the line and fully expected to pay the price.

Jou froze for an instant, then slammed his fist down, narrowly missing Seto's face to bury in the pillow. "Oh fuck man, what is it with you?" Even as the blue-green eyes widened, Jou let his body slump forward, dropping his head into the curve of Seto's neck. "You really think you have to pay for every fucking thing with pain, even something as simple as a grope." Jou shuddered and let go of his anger. "I'm not going to let you manipulate me into hurting you. Fuck Kaiba, Yugi did a number on you didn't he?"

"We are in bed together, you're holding me down, I'm letting you hold me down, and you bring Yugi into it? And you call me obsessed?"

"Ah man." Jou slid off the sprawled body, trying very hard not to notice how good Seto felt under him. "You are really a pervert."

"Not really. Most consider me asexual." Seto gave him an expectant look. "We have a few minutes. Are you sure you don't want to grope or hit me? I'm up for either."

"Yeah I can see you're up." He facepalmed. "Now you have me acting perverted. Just go get ready. Maeda's wake up call is in fifteen minutes. He reserved a table for breakfast. He also requested a tourist's map."

For a second it looked like Seto was pouting before the expression disappeared, to be replaced with a calm mask. "Very well. I'll shower and change. Please call down and get another toothbrush and more toothpaste."

"Right." Katsuya jerked his gaze away as the pajama top landed on the bed and the bottoms hit the ground. "Ah man, why did you come to my room? Why don't you have your own room?"

"Hotel was full. I didn't want to go to another hotel." Seto turned to the bathroom.

"Oh. I suppose it's all right then." Jou mumbled as he picked up the phone.

The restaurant was surprisingly crowded. It actually took Jou a few minutes to locate the man he thought might be Maeda Nayuki seated all alone in a booth tucked neatly in the corner. "That him Kaiba? In the back on the left?"

"Yes." Seto nodded and began to thread his way gracefully between the tables, patrons, and servers. Jou followed close behind but didn't come close to achieving the tall brunet's grace.

Seto stood over the seated man and cleared his throat. Jou rolled his eyes and slid in across from him. Maeda lifted his gaze from the menu to glance first at Jou then at Seto. The pretty hazel eyes widened slightly with recognition. "I know you! We shared a table at Ueda a while ago."

"Yes. We never introduced ourselves that time. I'm Kaiba Seto, and this is Jounouchi Katsuya."

"K...Kaiba?" He sputtered "But I... What is going on?"

"I was hoping you would tell me. The software supposedly written by Kaza. Let’s start there."

"I uhmmm I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean by supposedly? I..."

"Kaiba sit down, you're scaring the poor guy." Jou rebuked. "Besides there are more important things than the software." When Seto would have argued, Jou shook his head. "Sit. We will get to that." He switched his gaze to Maeda. "First thing I have to do is tell you your wife is dead."

"Wife... Reina? Dead?" His voice rose in disbelief.

"She was killed yesterday while you were flying into Zurich. The police are investigating."

"There must be some mistake. I mean... I... she... How?"

"I really don't know. They are treating it as a homicide. You have an alibi but you will have to return, if just to handle her interment and her estate."

"N...No. I won't go back." Maeda shook his head. "I signed the divorce papers so many times. She always changed her mind, always demanded more. It was her way of keeping me with her, punishing me for not loving her like she wanted. No... no I won't go back."

"Hold on a minute. You signed the papers?"

"Every time she brought them to me, always demanding more. Yes I signed them. Six times? Seven? It doesn't matter. I signed them."

"She had divorce papers on her desk when she was killed. They were unsigned."

"Yes, I know about them. I've always signed, every single time. But this time, her demands were too much. She took it too far. She was demanding control of not only my past work but all of my future work as well. I... I refused. She told me to think it over because she could make things very uncomfortable for me. I... I had already gotten my new job, and I... I... ran. I used my friend's ID to hide it, and I ran. She could use one of the other signed agreements. She had taken my childhood, my youth, but she wasn't taking my future."

"I thought you loved her?" Jou was confused. This man wasn't in love with Kaza, if anything he hated her.

"Once, when we were in school, I thought she was the most beautiful creature on earth. She was my only friend, and I thought she loved me the same way. In high school, we... we became lovers. I wasn't her first and I never asked who, but she swore she loved only me. When I won the scholarship, she insisted we get married. She didn't have the marks for college, she had been lazy and I refused to do her homework for her. She said she loved me and wanted to marry me. So we got married, and she applied at my school. But, she insisted we keep it quiet. She said she didn't want people to assume she was pregnant and counting on their fingers if she happened to be. I agreed, but it was only supposed to be for a few months.   In the meantime, to make her happy I asked the school to consider her."

His voice lost its defensive edge and became flat. "She changed at school. Or maybe she didn't change so much as showed her true colors. She was hard and cold to me. I was good enough for helping her with her classes but not good enough to be with. She started partying with the wild crowd. She... When I reminded her that we were married, she said she was making business contacts. She was working for our future and that it was simple networking, that was all."

Jou nodded, "So you let it ride?"

"I thought it made sense at the time." He shifted his gaze up to Kaiba before dropping down to his menu again. "After college she got a job at Ueda. I had the offer of position with Kaiba Corp as an intern programmer. She... She played on my feelings, promising to be my wife, if I would take a position closer to her at Ueda. I agreed. I wanted a wife and family. I wanted the Reina I'd known in school back."

"That didn't happen?"

"No. I was a data input drone, and she was a marketing specialist. She climbed the ladder rapidly. Too rapidly. I started hearing rumors about my wife being a... woman who earned promotions on her back." He gulped slightly. "I didn't believe it, and I buried my pain in work. For the first time I actually paid attention to my job. I saw how the program could be improved. I began programming little routines that increased my efficiency and accuracy. It got noticed, and I was promoted as well. I went from data input to actual accounting. The program there was riddled with poor resource handling, cyclical redundancies and was very hard to use for even the most experienced accountants. It was touted as the best available. I started writing my own, addressing the issues and incorporating light resource usage and reclamation. I started adding in an interpretive interface. Accounting is very repetitive, and the tasks are all the same with just a few parameters that needed to be adjusted. An interpretive software that not only does the repetitive tasks but anticipates and suggests other actions that might be needed seemed logical."

"So you did program the software. I thought so." Seto sounded completely smug about that.

"When I showed Reina, she was very positive about it. She said that as a marketing specialist she would pitch it to the company. She did... as the creator." Bitterness seeped from his voice. "She was out climbing the ladder while I stayed home alone writing it. She stole it from me." His voice broke then came back stronger. "I told her I would sign over rights to it if she would agree to a divorce. That was the first time I signed the papers. Later she told me she hadn't filed them, but she would if I agreed to work as her liaison until Ueda sold the company. Kaiba Corp had been sniffing around for a few months." He coughed slightly and sent Seto a cold look. "I would have been free if you had stayed away."

"You know better. She got off on owning you. It would have been something else to hold you. You were her pet on a leash. Divorce would have cut the leash." Seto countered just as coldly.

That took the wind out of his sails. "You're right." Maeda nodded. "Things fell into a routine. I watched her lie and fuck her way up the ladder; watched her use my work to feather her nest. Then her house of cards started to tremble. Ueda wanted the software upgraded, and she didn't have a clue. I told her I would do one upgrade if she signed the papers. We signed together. I took the papers to file. I wasn't going to chance leaving them with her again. They were on my table when I went to the bathroom, and when I came back they were gone. She... She stole them is all I could think. I realized then that I was fooling myself. She would never set me free. I... I told her I was working on the upgrade, but in reality, I was looking for a way out. The rest you know. Here we are." Defiance lifted his head. "I am not going back."

"She is dead, and you are her husband. You have legal responsibility." Jou pointed out.

"I'll appoint someone, an executor or attorney. I'm not returning unless the police force me."

"You..."

"No Katsuya." Seto interrupted. Jou sent him a startled look, one that Maeda copied. "If you like I can have an attorney act as your proxy. It should be simple enough to handle."

"You... why would you do that?"

"Regardless of the origin of the code, it is now your property. The copyright to Ueda ends in just a little while. I'd like to purchase that copyright as well as the copyright on the work you've already done on the upgrade. Providing you with a proxy will expedite that." He paused and gave him a shrewd look. "If you won't work for me then I'd like to purchase first refusal on any future upgrades or software in the future."

"Thank you for trying to make my life easier. Not just with the offer of a proxy but for not pressuring me to work for you." Maeda said softly. "I signed this contract, and I fully intend to complete it. However, my dream job has always been to work for you." He coughed slightly "I mean your company of course."

"I understood what you meant. I also know that you need a break. When your new contract ends and you've had time and distance away from your current situation, I will offer again. I won't be as understanding." He smiled thinly. "I've seen your past work. I'll expect to see more current work at that time. If it meets my expectations, you could very well find yourself my lead developer in Artificial Intelligence."

Jou could tell by the stars that lit Maeda's eyes that Seto had just gained another devoted slave. Time to get practical before this turned into a Kaiba love fest. "Great." He sighed. "Now go get the man a proxy. I'll order breakfast for us. Pancakes, bacon and... Oh yeah gotta have strawberry crepes." He looked at the two men gaping at him. "It's settled, isn't it? You're going to finish your new contract, Kaiba's going to get a proxy for you, and sometime when you have your head on straight you are going to work on Kaiba's toys. What's the problem? I'm hungry, and the food here smells great." He made a shooing gesture to Kaiba. "Go arrange for his proxy. I know you'll want to talk privately. You are a fiend for your privacy and schemes. Your food will be here when you get back, if you don't take too long. You know me. I'm a fiend for good food."

Seto gave him a baffled glance but shooed obligingly, pulling his phone from his pocket to talk to Ai about the list of international lawyers with firms in Japan and Switzerland. When Jou glanced back at Maeda, he found the other man still watching him with wide eyes. "What?"

"You just ordered Kaiba Seto to leave, and he did. Do you know who he is?"

"Yes, of course I do. Do I treat him like a stranger or something? Went to school with him for years. Sometimes he needs a push when he gets caught up in his dramas. Nudging him on the path of common sense seems to be my job lately."

"So you are his friend? Or lover? I have read that he is homosexual."

In the past that would have made Jou gasp and sputter denials. Instead he shrugged. "I'm his friend. Whether he admits it or not is another thing."

He smiled slightly. "Ah, like me and my new boss. She and I knew each other in college and fought constantly. However, when we met again just a few months ago in Japan, we both admitted we always thought of it as friendly rivalry and neither of us disliked the other." His smile faded. "Her husband left her for another woman while she was pregnant with their third child. The job I'm taking is working with her. She is a bank auditor for a company in Geneva. I'm going to be her au pair and general assistant."

"Sounds like the kind of break you need. Maeda..." Jou hesitated, then asked bluntly. "Did you take money from Ueda? I was hired by Ueda to find you because they believe you took a large amount of money. You were the only one with access apparently. The money is untraceable and with your computer skills, it is very suspicious."

A laugh of genuine amusement came from him. "The money isn't missing, Jounouchi-san, nor is it stolen. By now it is back in the account it came from. I set up a recursive withdrawal and payment. Basically the account pays itself. Because of the lag time between banks, it looks as though the money is missing. I set it up to distract Reina while I escaped. I knew her current lover would discover it and think it missing. I used her codes to make things uncomfortable for her. I thought I could use that time to slip away. The recursion is only set to five so the money would only be missing perhaps eighteen days."

A jangling alarm went up in Katsuya's mind. "Wait, her codes? They said your codes had been used."

"Then they lied. I used her codes. I knew them because she always had me pick them for her."

"Why would they lie?" Jou thought for half a second then started to his feet, looking up urgently at the tall brunet sliding into the seat next to him.   "Kaiba..."

"I heard. You need to call the police. I'll call the lawyer back." Seto pulled out his phone again as he walked away.

Jou grabbed the napkin and handed it to Maeda. "Write down all the account information you remember. I'm going to need it." He whipped out his phone and dialed. "Tatsu, where are you?"

"You tell me, and I'll tell you." Damned if he didn't sound just as snarky as Seto.

"I'm sitting at the table with Maeda Nayuki. Where are you?"

"Smart ass. Fine have it your way.   I'm sitting in Chief Kochi's office trying to convince him not to arrest you on sight for obstructing an investigation and harboring a suspect."

"Ah hell, put me on speaker." There was a moment when he thought Tatsu would hang up, then the echo of a phone unmistakably on speaker came over the line.

"Jounouchi-san, so kind of you to call back. I assume you are calling to give us the whereabouts of the suspect Maeda Nayuki." Chief Kochi said smoothly.

"Never assume 'cause you know what that makes you." Jou answered back smartly. "Now shut it. I'm about to do you a large favor and help you crack a major embezzlement and murder case. Watanabe I know you're there, I can hear your heavy breathing. Grab a pencil and paper and write this down." Jou carefully read the numbers into the phone. "Now I'm going to put Maeda on, and he's going to explain about the recursive setup. Do not try to speak to him about anything else. His rep is here, and Maeda has been counselled. He is limited to what he can tell you. He will only speak to you in regard to the missing money. The murder is not on the table as he was on an airplane hours before and hours after."

Maeda took a deep breath and let it out. "My name is Maeda Nayuki. Before I start, I suggest you call in a forensic accountant or bookkeeper if there is such a thing."

"I've already sent for one. They will arrive in five minutes."

Jou chuckled. "Do you really think that will work? You weren't able to trace the phone up to now - let me guess it dead ends at a protected satellite. Do you believe five minutes will make a difference?"

"It already has." Tatsu sounded smug. "You are in Keflavik Iceland."

"Yeah... brrr... but the fresh strawberry crepes are the best." Jou chuckled. Keflavik. Ai had a great sense of humor.

Seto returned and slid in next to Jou, bumping him with his hip to get more room. "This is Kaiba Seto. I'm acting as Maeda's representative. I've been asked by his legal team to not allow him to discuss anything further until their representatives arrive at your office, Chief Kochi. I believe you will be able to reach him when his team arrives." He smiled at the stunned silence on the other end. Sometimes it was just great to be Kaiba Seto. "Until then, we will enjoy our crepes and the wonderful scenery of... Keflavik." He disconnected the call and gave Jou a frowning look. "You haven't ordered yet, and I'm starved."

Maeda choked back a hysterical laugh. "Starved? You're worrying about food, and I'm going to be arrested?"

"You won't." Seto gave him a direct look. "All the evidence to clear you is there. A legal team is at your disposal and will do all they can to shield you. The worst that may happen is that they insist you return for an interview. However that can be gotten around by a distance interview. A team of lawyers will be at the police station within an hour. Your lawyer will be here at the hotel in that time as well. I suggest we all eat a hearty breakfast. You, because you will need your strength for the interview and statements, and us because we have a long flight home."

"You are leaving?" The hazel eyes were wide with panic. "What about me? You can't..."

"I'm not your father. I've done all I can. The lawyers will assist you more than I. I have an infant daughter to get back to, and Jounouchi has a business to run." Kaiba's voice was hard and impatient. "Act like a man and deal with it. This is your fault for not having the balls to stand up to the bitch you married."

"Yo Kaiba, kinda harsh there." Jou rebuked. "True but harsh. Order your own damn breakfast. Here comes the waitress."

After a huge breakfast, they handed Maeda off to his legal team. Jou retrieved his things while Seto checked them out. At the airport, Jou boarded the plane alongside Seto. He expected the brunet to head for the cockpit. Instead he lead the way to a lushly appointed lounge, with deep leather seats and couches, glossy wooden tables, and art hanging on the real wood panelled walls. "I thought the back compartment was good. This place is better than the hotel." He gave Seto a sidelong look. "Don't you have to be in the cockpit?"

"I haven't slept enough to fly safely. I'm going to get comfortable and spend a few hours in the jacuzzi. If you like this room, you'll love the spa. Going to join me, Katsuya?" Seto began to strip off his coat and tie as he slipped out of his shoes.

"Ah... uhm... shit, you like undressing around me don't you?" He spun away to look at a picture on the wall. He didn't know what it was and didn't care. Jou would not look anywhere else.

"You have no idea. Slide out of those jeans. They have to be crushing your... body. The jacuzzi will feel great." Seto's deep voice was smooth and rich, with just a hint of huskiness. It sent shivers through Jou's stirring body.

"Ah... uhm... guh...Ahhh..." He jumped and turned forty-five degrees from the wall hanging... a mirror image of a leisurely stripping Seto Kaiba. "I... I'm going to the other cabin. Enjoy the jacuzzi. Don't fall asleep in there though. You could drown."

Seto sounded disappointed, but only mildly. "All right, enjoy your isolation Katsuya. As much as I would enjoy having you around, I get too little 'me' time to let your childish aversion to me bother me. Tell Ibuka to have Fuse serve the main cabin. As amusing as it might be to see, I'd hate to shock the man out of the closet with my nudity."

That killed any mental hentai images Jou had. Just the thought of that prissy stick drooling over Seto made Jou want to laugh and puke at the same time. Sometimes Seto had a very sick sense of humor. "Have fun with getting naked alone. I'll see you when we land."

Six hours into the flight, Jou, fed up with the cold silence of the steward, went to the forward cabin. He found Seto, naked as the day he was born, sprawled out comfortably on what appeared to be a hide-a-bed. With a hard-put-upon sigh, Jou grabbed the blanket and pillows that had been left on a chair and covered Seto over, then slid the pillow under his messy hair. "Geez moneybags. You really do need a keeper."

Seto's eyes snapped open, the suddenness startling Jou into jumping back slightly. But it wasn't the suddenness that had him catching his breath as his heart surged in sudden hard tempo. It was the pure green-gold color of the normally blue eyes. "What the fuck? Kaiba?" For some reason, he felt like he was looking into the eyes of a stranger.

A strong arm caught him and tumbled him down, pulling him into a spooning position similar to how he woke that morning. A voice from deep inside himself, not Seto's, but the place where his Ka spoke to him, commanded "Sleep." It was the last thing he remembered before being woken by Ibuka, informing him that his taxi was waiting.

"Waiting? What? Where is Kaiba?"

"He left almost half an hour ago. He doesn't have the luxury of sleeping in."

"Well shit." Jou mumbled as he dragged himself out of the comfortable bed. Kaiba had done it again. This time though, Jou felt a melancholy pain settle in his heart along with the anger. A part of him wondered if Kaiba would have left if he had joined him in the jacuzzi.

It was too late, or early, depending on how you view three in the morning, for Jou to go home, so he opted for going to his office. He'd barely let himself through the door when a large figure grabbed him from behind. Instinctively he swung out, only to redirect the blow at the last moment as he recognized his assailant. "Damn it Tatsu, what are you doing here?"

"Obvious." The captain glared for a moment. "Sassa admitted it all once we found the money, including the murder. They were framing Maeda to take the fall but at the last minute, she got cold feet and tried to back out. They were arguing when he killed her."

"Figured that out on my own. Glad he confessed though. Makes it easier on Maeda." Jou smiled. "Hi."

"Smart ass." Tatsu hesitated, then leaned forward and brushed his lips carefully against Jou's, keeping the contact light and non-invasive. "Welcome home."

Jou smiled and gently returned the gesture. "Thanks. Want to come in for some tea?"

"Sounds good. I've been waiting for you for hours."

As Jou ushered him into the silent office, he reflected that it hadn't been bad for his first guy-on-guy kiss. Not earth shattering or even particularly hot but nice in a warm way. A small part of him couldn't help wondering if it would have been different if Seto had been the one to welcome him home with a kiss.

***

Kissing Kaiba was the furthest thing from his mind as Jou typed up the itemized expense report for the bill for the Ueda Group. Who the hell charges that much money for picking up a few items and packing them? He could understand some compensation, but three hundred thousand yen? What was Kaiba thinking? The cost of Ai's time was even more astronomical. Next time, he'll make his own arrangements. This bill was more than his company could hope to make in three years. The Ueda group was still struggling with the bad press and fallout of having embezzlers and a murderer working for them. The stock price had plummeted to less than ten percent of what it had been and couldn't afford the bill either.

Calling Seto every name he could think of, Jou totaled the final amount due and wanted to die. There was no way Ueda could come up with that money. The blond hadn't padded anything, just given them the numbers that Kaiba Corporation's accounts receivable had sent him. There was no give. It had to be paid. Even selling his car wouldn't make a dent in it. With a growl that was part anger and part frustration he printed the bill, stuffed it in an envelope, and applied postage. It would go out today, and let the future take care of itself. "Shizuka, has the mail been delivered yet? I have something to go out."

"Just missed it big brother. I'm opening it now. Only got one thing today." Shizuka smiled as she slit the large brown envelope open and peeked inside. "Pictures!" She sounded gleeful as she dumped the contents on her desk. Her happiness faded, and after a moment, she let out a scream that shook the rafters.

Jou was at her desk in a heartbeat. With a shaking hand he picked up the picture his sister was focused on. It was of her, obviously out shopping. A red dot was drawn in the middle of her forehead, around her head was a red cross hairs. Urgently, Jou picked up the other pictures. Each and every one had a picture of someone he cared about going about their daily business, completely oblivious to a psycho taking their pictures. On each and every picture the red dot and cross hairs were exactly the same. He dropped them back to the desk as Honda barrelled up beside him. "What's wrong?"

"Look at these." Urgently he reached for his phone. "I have to call Kaiba."

Honda looked up sharply. "Kaiba? Don't you mean Tatsu?"

That made Jou hesitate for just a second, then he answered. "Tatsu is a cop and always on guard. One of these pictures is of Kaiba with his daughter. He has to be warned. Then I'll call Tatsu."

When he tapped the on button for his phone, he wasn't surprised to hear it already connecting on the other side. "Kaiba." Seto's voice answered softer than Jou had ever heard it.

"Kaiba, it's Jounouchi. Look, someone sent me pictures, threatening pictures of you with your baby. I..." But he was talking to dead air.   He jabbed another button and he heard the click of connection "Damn it. Ai what is he doing?"

"He's ordered a secure car with full security detail to bring him to your office. He'll be there in less than half an hour."

"Fine. Ai tell him to be careful, someone's watching him and Keiko. These photos are a direct threat. I'll scan them so you can analyze them." He hung up from Ai, ignoring the strange looks he was getting, and dialed Tatsu's number. He snarled when it went straight to voicemail. "Tatsu, it’s Katsuya. Look there's been an incident, and I need your help. Come to my office as soon as you get this." He disconnected and pocketed his phone. The silence in the office caught his attention. He looked up curiously. "What?"

"Since when do you have Kaiba's private number? Why him first? Why does he come when you call - no questions asked? And who the hell is Ai?" Honda snapped, holding the photo of himself directly in the crosshairs.

***

Here ends Lost and Found, Episode 4, Part 2. Tune in next week for the next (Hopefully) entertaining episode of Lost and Found.
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